[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 84 (Monday, June 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE 2009 U.S. PHYSICS OLYMPIAD TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2009

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of 
the members of the 2009 United States Physics Olympiad Team.
  To be considered for the U.S. team, students take a series of 
challenging theoretical and laboratory exams. Out of thousands of 
students, the top 24 finalists are invited to participate in a 10-day 
physics camp hosted by the University of Maryland. This camp prepares 
the students to face the challenge of meeting physics students from all 
over the world in a brain-to-brain competition through nine days of 
intense studying, testing and problem solving.
  At the end of training camp, five exceptional students will advance 
and represent the United States in July at a tremendous international 
competition in Mexico. This type of international physics competition 
is a meaningful endeavor where physics students from across the globe 
learn in new intellectual and experiential ways and establish working 
relationships that bridge geographic and cultural differences.
  Last year, the U.S. five-member team brought home five medals: four 
gold ones and a silver.
  The members of the 2009 team include: Yishun Dong, Yale Fan, David 
Field, Justin Holmgren, Patrick Hurst, Robert Kastner, Brian Kong, 
Kevin Lang, Dan Li, Patricia Li, Bowei Liu, Jenny Lu, Marianna Mao, 
Anand Natarajan, Joshua Oreman, Thomas Schultz, Allen Yuan, Yunfan 
Zhang and Andrew Zhou.
  I commend the American Institute of Physics, the American Association 
of Physics Teachers and affiliated sponsors for organizing this annual 
event and fostering a passion for science in these students.
  I know my colleagues share my pride in the achievements of these 
students. Their success is a testament not only to their individual 
determination, but also to a group of exceptional teachers and coaches. 
The 2009 U.S. Physics Team coaches include Paul Stanley, JiaJia Dong, 
David Fallest, David Jones, Andrew Lin, Warren Turner and Qiu Zi Li. 
These coaches are all volunteers and usually full time teachers with 
extraordinary demands on their time. Unfortunately, very rarely do they 
receive recognition for their work with the physics team. I would like 
to thank each of them for the time and dedication they have shown to 
these students. The time spent with these students is a great service 
to the future of science and America.
  I also hope that some of the Olympiad students will consider running 
for public office and add their expertise to the policy world! I am 
very thankful for these future leaders and ask that you please join me 
in congratulating them on their wonderful achievements. We wish the top 
five the best of success as they represent the United States at the 
40th International Physics Olympiad competition be held in Merida, 
Yucatan, Mexico.

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