[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 25, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H5080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING PARTICIPANTS OF THE 2019 PITTCHFEST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
participants of the 2019 PITTchFEST, which was held in conjunction with 
this year's Showcase for Commerce in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
  The event is designed to support the next generation of great ideas 
in Cambria County and the Allegheny region. The Shark Tank-style 
competition was created as a way for local entrepreneurs to present 
their innovative ideas and creations to potential investors. Programs 
like these are essential to attracting new businesses and a skilled 
workforce to our region.
  One of the competition's categories is specifically for students at 
the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. These students are a part of 
the summer accelerated program with PITTchFEST, which is used as a 
launchpad for their work.
  This year's top student entrepreneurship teams included 
Smarchitecture, led by Alex Schork. This team project provides 
architects, designers, and artists the ability to render digital 
imagery that can be instantly shared and edited with clients in real 
time.
  Skill Spirit was led by Ben Wargo. This team developed an incremental 
learning app that provides incentives and rewards for learning new 
languages.
  Supernal Siesta was led by Laura Johnson. Laura's team focused on 
helping women manage hot flashes and the effects of menopause by 
creating a fashionably created mattress with the technology to cool and 
provide for a full night's sleep.
  For the third year, PITTchFEST also included the social 
entrepreneurship category, which highlights incredible efforts and 
ideas for building vibrant communities. The top teams in this category 
included the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy team, which is developing 
plans to expand the Path of the Flood Trail, which would be the first 
safe and easily followed bicycle route from downtown Johnstown to the 
historic Little Conemaugh River gorge.
  The Central Park Square/Gallery on Gazebo team aims to promote the 
arts in downtown Johnstown.
  The Friends of the Inclined Plane Trails team is planning the 
Inclined Plane Riverside Park, which will include zip lines and a 
downhill mountain-biking course.
  The three finalists in each category received a cash award that 
supports their innovations. The judges for PITTchFEST represented 
various aspects of the community, including social agencies, private 
industries, advocacy groups, and higher education.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the sponsors of 
PITTchFEST who made the event possible, including Ben Franklin 
Technology Partners, Cambria Regional Chamber, Community Foundation for 
the Alleghenies, Croyle-Nielsen Therapeutic Associates, Enterprise 
Venture Capital Corporation of PA, Entrepreneurial Alchemy, JARI, JWF 
Industries, and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
  PITTchFEST was a tremendous success, as it showcased the community 
spirit and the innovative minds of the greater Johnstown region.
  As their motto proclaims, they are: ``Growing Great Ideas Right in 
Our Backyard.''

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