[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 76 (Friday, May 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  FOSHAY LEARNING CENTER FIRST ROBOTICS TEAM 597 ENDS A YEAR AS WORLD 
                                CHAMPION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2016

  Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to welcome home the Foshay 
Learning Center FIRST Robotics Team 597, the Wolverines, who have 
closed out their year as reigning champions at the competition that 
ended on April 30, 2016.
  One year ago, Team 597, coming from an inner-city Los Angeles school 
in my district, beat out 18,000 students with 900 robots from 40 
countries to win the Chairman's Award, the highest honor given at the 
2015 FRC World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. The award 
recognizes the team that best represents a model for other teams to 
emulate, and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST, including 
the promotion of not just STEM skills but teamwork, entrepreneurship, 
volunteerism and resourcefulness.
  Under strict rules, limited resources, and the guidance of volunteer 
mentors including teachers, engineers, business professionals, parents, 
alumni and more, the Wolverines team had just six weeks to build and 
program their robot to perform challenging tasks against a field of 
competitors. They also had to raise funds, design a team ``brand,'' 
hone teamwork skills, and perform community outreach. In addition to 
learning valuable STEM and life skills, participants are eligible to 
apply for millions in college scholarships.
  Under the leadership of their advisor, Foshay math teacher, Darryl 
Newhouse, Team 597 not only built a great robot, competed in local and 
regional events, raised funds to support their work and the trip to St. 
Louis, but they also excelled in seeding teams at local elementary 
schools and giving back to their community in multiple ways.
  Just last month, Team 597 had the honor of sending two 
representatives to the 2016 White House Science Fair, initiated by 
President Barack Obama six years ago to honor the student winners of a 
broad range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) 
competitions across the country. And last week they returned to St. 
Louis as reigning champions.
  I salute the Wolverines and the parents, teachers, parents, family, 
friends, organizations, and professionals who support them.

                          ____________________