[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 68 (Tuesday, May 5, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             LYME-OLD LYME HIGH SCHOOL--FIRST ROBOTICS TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 2009

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
outstandingly gifted group of high school students from Old Lyme, 
Connecticut who compose the Lyme-Old Lyme High School FIRST Robotics 
team, the ``Techno Ticks.'' On April 18, 2009, they were honored with 
one of the highest recognitions in STEM (Science, Technology, 
Engineering, & Math) field competitions among young adults hosted by 
FIRST.
  FIRST, ``For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,'' 
was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, an inventor, entrepreneur, and 
advocate for the STEM fields. Its original goal of inspiring young 
adults' interest and participation in STEM fields has remained a core 
value and has helped grow the program and participation to 
unprecedented levels. In 2009, nearly 1 million individuals and groups, 
consisting of students, volunteers, and sponsors, composed the FIRST 
community.
  On April 16, 2009, tens of thousands of students, spectators, 
mentors, volunteers and sponsors gathered in the Georgia Dome in 
Atlanta, Georgia to launch the FIRST International Championship. Over 
the weekend, more than 500 teams from around the world demonstrated the 
products of their labors in several competitions, including the FIRST 
Robotics Competition (FRC), the FIRST Tech Challenge, and the FIRST 
Lego League. The ``Techno Ticks'' of Lyme-Old Lyme High School from Old 
Lyme, Connecticut were among the competitors in the FRC field.
  Prior to the championship, FRC teams were challenged to construct a 
robot in 6 weeks with a kit containing hundreds of parts. Nearly 1,700 
teams participated in FRC regional competitions. Winners advanced to 
the FIRST International Competition. The 2009 FIRST Internal 
Competition FRC challenge revolved around a game called ``LUNACY,'' 
which tested the students and robots in picking up nine inch game balls 
and placing them in trailers hitched to their opponents' robots. The 
competitors were also faced with the additional challenge of a low-
friction floor.
  After all balls were counted and the laws of physics tested, the 
``Techno Ticks'' emerged with the most prestigious honor of the 
competition, the Chairman's Award. The Chairman's Award is presented to 
the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and 
best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST.
  Madam Speaker, the competitiveness of our workforce and prosperity of 
our society is greatly dependent on the innovative capacities of our 
citizens. Members of the ``Techno Ticks'' and the other young adults 
that have participated in FIRST programs have clearly demonstrated that 
our next generation can tackle the challenges that our nation may face 
in the future. I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents 
in recognizing the ``Techno Ticks'' achievements and celebrating their 
prestigious award.

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