[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 130 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY VEHICLE RESEARCH 
                               INSTITUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LARSEN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 24, 2010

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
the Western Washington University Vehicle Research Institute for their 
outstanding achievements in the X Prize Automotive competition.
  The X Prize Competition challenged our best scientists and engineers 
to develop a new car that could achieve fuel efficiency of over 100 
miles per gallon in real world driving. To win, the car had to be safe, 
affordable and potentially desirable to consumers.
  Western Washington's team, comprised entirely of undergraduate 
students, developed and entered a 2-seat car, the Viking 45, in the 
``alternative'' class. Their car successfully navigated several rounds 
of testing, becoming the only American university team to reach the 
finals of the competition.
  The success of the Viking 45 continues the long tradition of 
excellence at the Vehicle Research Institute. I commend them for their 
success in the X Prize competition and their continuing outstanding 
work to develop the next generation of passenger vehicles.

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