[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 192 (Tuesday, December 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF UNT TAMS STUDENT ENTRIES IN THE CONGRESSIONAL APP 
                               CHALLENGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2019

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Vishok Jonnalagadda, Kate Liang, Ernest Lu, Mayur Pabba, 
Shubh Sharma, Tarush Verma and Connie Xu, participants in the first 
26th District of Texas Congressional App Challenge and all students 
attending the University of North Texas as Texas Academy of Math and 
Science (TAMS) students. The Congressional App Challenge encourages 
students to learn how to code through an annual competition hosted by 
Members of Congress.
  Structured as a competition, the Congressional App Challenge is a 
great way for Congress to engage students in computer programming and 
technology-related careers and encourage them to develop the skills 
that are becoming increasingly important for jobs contributing to our 
growing economy. By participating in the App Challenge, the students 
have the opportunity to create their own apps for mobile, tablet or 
computer device and compete with other students, receiving feedback 
from leading experts in the field. I thank each of the students 
competing in this year's endeavor as well as the judges who contributed 
their time and expertise to the process.
  The Congressional App judging panel assembled was comprised of Dr. 
Jennifer Moore, Associate Professor and School Librarian Certification 
Faculty Lead at Texas Woman's University School of Library & 
Information Sciences; Dr. Stephani Ludi, Professor, Undergraduate 
Coordinator and Co-Director of Research in the Software Engineering Lab 
at the University of North Texas' (UNT) Department of Science & 
Engineering; and Mr. Mark Payne, Executive Director, Denco Area 911. 
After reviewing each of the Apps submitted, the board scored the 
entries, resulting in a tabulated outcome recognizing ``Mindful 
Minutes'' by Ms. Connie Xu and Kate Liang as the winner. ``Mindful 
Minutes'' is an app designed to combat the societal challenge of 
forgetfulness by allowing users to count anything, including hours 
worked or hours exercised, or even creating custom counters for any 
repetitive activity or subject they choose. Their app will be displayed 
in the U.S. Capitol and shown on the U.S. House of Representatives web 
site. The students will also be invited to the House of 
Representatives' Code Demo Day reception in Washington, D.C.
  I am proud to participate in the Congressional App contest as a way 
of encouraging the development of the math and science education our 
country requires to remain competitive. Ms. Xu and Ms. Liang have 
displayed their creativity and skill through their submission, 
providing an example of the bright future they, and our country, have 
ahead. I am honored to represent these two bright young women and wish 
them and all the representative UNT TAMS program students involved, 
much continued success in their education and careers.

                          ____________________