[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE SPRINGDALE TYSON SCHOOL OF INNOVATION ROBOTICS TEAM

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate Root 
Negative One, Springdale's Don Tyson School of Innovation Robotics 
Team, on qualifying for the FIRST Global Challenge in Dubai. Arkansas 
is proud to have a team from our State represent the United States in 
the robotics competition in October.
  Root Negative One has achieved much success in the team's 4-year 
history. It won the Inspire Award, the top award given at the FIRST 
Tech Challenge tournament, in its first year. During the 2017-2018 
season, the team earned the Inspire Award at the Arkansas FIRST Tech 
Challenge Championship, and it was an Inspire Award Finalist at the 
FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in Houston, TX. This past 
season, the team won the Inspire Awards at the Alabama FIRST Tech 
Challenge Championship and the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship 
in Houston. This award recognizes Root Negative One as one of the top 
two teams worldwide.
  For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology--FIRST--
empowers students to develop skills in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics--STEM--and provides opportunities for 
youth to make connections with professionals in these areas. University 
of Arkansas College of Engineering professors Richard Cassady and Chase 
Rainwater volunteer as team coaches, serving as excellent mentors to 
the students. Since day one, the team has worked hard to build a world-
class, high-school robotics program to compete at the most elite level.
  The numerous benefits these Springdale students get from 
participating in the FIRST program will have a long lasting impact on 
team members. By having the opportunity to learn from professional 
engineers and master STEM skills before they enter college, they are 
well on their way to successful futures.
  I am very proud of the team's accomplishments as its members continue 
their journey to develop such relevant, in-demand skills. 
Congratulations to Root Negative One Robotics Team on all of these 
accomplishments on earning a spot to compete in the FIRST Global 
Challenge. I wish the team the best of luck as it represents our 
country in the fall.

                          ____________________