[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4960-S4961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE LYME-OLD LYME FIRST ROBOTICS TEAM

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I wish today to honor the 
``Techno Ticks,'' the FIRST Robotics team from Lyme-Old Lyme High 
School in Old Lyme, CT, which won the Chairman's Award at the 2009 
International FIRST Robotics Championship. The Chairman's Award is the 
most prestigious honor given out at the FIRST competition, which this 
year included 348 teams from most states in the United States as well 
as Brazil, Israel, Canada, and Mexico. It is awarded to the team that 
best represents a model for other teams to emulate, and which embodies 
the goals and purposes of FIRST.
  FIRST--For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology--was 
established in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and 
participation in science and technology through a variety of mentor-
based programs that help young people develop skills in science, 
technology, and engineering. Every year, the FIRST Robotics Competition 
challenges teams of high school students to design and build robots 
from a kit of hundreds of parts. The teams then control their robots in 
a game against other teams. The goal of this program is not just to 
teach students about robotics, but help them to develop general problem 
solving abilities as well as self-confidence, communication skills, and 
leadership.
  Before participating in the International Competition, the Techno 
Ticks won the Chairman's Award at the Connecticut FIRST Robotics 
Competition for the 7th year in a row--a record amongst the more than 
1700 FIRST teams now in operation worldwide. This remarkable record of 
success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of head coach 
William Derry and all the students and faculty who have been a part of 
the Techno Ticks over the last 11 years. The team has also benefitted 
from the efforts of many volunteers and supporters, including mentors 
from local businesses that generously share there time and expertise 
with the team.
  At a time when our Nation's ability to sustain a growing economy and 
create good jobs at home increasingly depends upon our achievements in 
science and technology, the FIRST competition has helped to instill in 
many young people a thirst for discovery that leads so many to pursue a 
career in the physical sciences. It is hardly surprising that so many 
former Techno Ticks have gone on to study engineering. Two years ago, I 
was fortunate enough to attend the Connecticut regional competition in 
Hartford, and I couldn't help but be amazed by the creativity and 
dedication the Ticks and all the other teams put into building their 
robots.
  I offer my congratulations to Coach Derry and the Lyme-Old Lyme 
Techno Ticks for winning the Chairman's Award at the 2009 International 
FIRST Robotics Championship and commend

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all the faculty members, volunteers, mentors, and supporters who were 
instrumental in their victory.

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