[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H1737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING McCUTCHEON HIGH SCHOOL'S MAVERICKS ROBOTICS TEAM

  (Mr. Baird of Indiana was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor McCutcheon High 
School's Mavericks Robotics team, which won the 2025 FIRST Robotics 
Competition World Championship.
  The Mavericks Robotics team competed against 3,700 teams from around 
the world just to clinch a spot in the world championship. Only 600 of 
those teams made the cut, and this robotics team won it all.
  These talented students from McCutcheon High School dedicated 17 to 
20 hours a week designing, building, and marketing their robot. Each of 
the students on the Mavericks Robotics team played a vital role in 
their global victory, from designing aspects of the robot, computer 
programming, crafting the physical build of the robot, or helping raise 
money for the project. These brilliant students should be proud of this 
truly outstanding accomplishment.
  I congratulate the world champion McCutcheon Mavericks Robotics team.


                  Recognizing Sergeant Rodney Jenkins

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Sergeant 
Rodney Jenkins, a dedicated public servant who devoted over two decades 
to law enforcement in Montgomery County, Indiana.
  At 19, Rodney became one of the first full-time male dispatchers at 
the Montgomery County Communications Center, and his career only 
flourished from there.
  In 1998, Rodney Jenkins was hired as a jail officer and reserve 
deputy with Montgomery County Sheriff's office.
  In 2000, he was hired as a road deputy, and 9 years later, he was 
promoted to sergeant.
  His leadership, coupled with his dedication to both administrative 
and field duties, showcases his true passion for law enforcement and 
community service.
  We are grateful for Sergeant Jenkins' exceptional service to our 
community, and I am proud to congratulate him on his well-deserved 
retirement.


                     Retirement of Dr. Karen Plaut

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Karen Plaut, the 
executive vice president for research at Purdue University who recently 
announced she will retire on June 30 of this year.
  Dr. Plaut has a truly impressive career. Dr. Plaut attended the 
University of Vermont, received her master's from Pennsylvania State 
University, and received her Ph.D. in animal science from Cornell 
University. She held a fellowship at the National Cancer Institute at 
NIH and led breast cancer research at the University of Vermont.

  Dr. Plaut then joined NASA and served as the lead scientist for the 
International Space Station Biological Research Project, working with 
engineers to build life science habitats for zero gravity.
  Dr. Plaut joined Purdue University in 2010 and became executive vice 
president in 2023.
  I wish Dr. Plaut the best of luck and congratulate her on her well-
earned retirement.


                     Recognizing Dr. John Scamahorn

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor fellow Boilermaker Dr. 
John Scamahorn.
  Dr. Scamahorn earned his degree in veterinary medicine from Purdue 
University in 1972 and has spent his career supporting veterinarians at 
the local, State, and national levels.
  Dr. Scamahorn runs the Animal Medical Clinic in Greencastle, Indiana. 
He also helped found the Indiana Animal Health Foundation, which helps 
fund scholarships and service animals. He also has contributed 
significant time to 4-H members.
  He received the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine's 
Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2001 and the American Veterinary Medical 
Association Meritorious Service Award in 2022, which recognizes a 
veterinarian who has brought honor and distinction to the veterinary 
profession.
  Indiana is proud to be the home for Dr. Scamahorn, and I thank him 
for his exceptional service to veterinarians and our communities.


                       Recognizing Jinsie Bingham

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Jinsie Bingham, a 
trailblazing broadcaster and lifelong Greencastle, Indiana, resident. 
She even graduated from DePauw University, located in Greencastle, in 
1956. Her broadcasting career started when she joined the local radio 
station WJNZ, formerly known as WXTA, as the sales manager in 1969.
  In 1977, Jinsie Bingham became the first woman in Indiana to own and 
operate a commercial radio station. She ran WJNZ, which is now known as 
WREB and serves Greencastle to this day. In 1996, she received the 
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indiana Chapter of American Women 
in Radio and Television.
  Jinsie Bingham retired from broadcasting in 1994 but continues to be 
active in the Greencastle community to this day. She is also known as 
the unofficial historian for the area.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to know Jinsie Bingham, and I thank her 
for her decades of service to Greencastle.

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