[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13429]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 RIO GRANDE CITY, TX, STUDENTS WIN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN THE 
                      ODYSSEY OF THE MIND CONTEST

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2000

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the Odyssey of the Mind 
world-champion team members, coaches, and parents of Ringgold 
Elementary School in Rio Grande City, TX. At the Odyssey of the Mind 
world championship competition for pre-teens, this select group of 5th 
graders captured the world title. This banner accomplishment reflects 
the competitors' academic commitment, keen imagination, creativity, and 
countless hours of preparation.
  Odyssey of the Mind, a worldwide creative problem-solving, engages 
students in exercises that challenge their critical thinking skills. 
More than 1 million participants in 50 states and 20 countries around 
the world compete in various age and subject categories. The world-
champion Odyssey of the Mind team members, Jessica Chapa, Ashley 
Escobar, Justin Guzman, Karah Hiles, Leonel Lopez III, Armando R. Vela, 
and Valerie Villarreal, demonstrated world-class dedication to earn 
this international recognition.
  I join the people of Rio Grande City, TX, and the United States, to 
commend the trophy winners for capturing the world championship title 
of the Odyssey of the Mind competition.

                          ____________________