House Concurrent Resolution 83

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING GINA PAMBIANCHI ON HER PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE EXPEDITION JASON XIV: FROM SHORE TO SEA AS A "STUDENT ARGONAUT."

WHEREAS, Gina Pambianchi, an 8th grade student at Margaret Green Junior High School in Cleveland, Mississippi, was selected from thousands of students to participate in an international science expedition, JASON XIV: From Shore to Sea (the JASON Project), in California's Channel Islands from January 27 through February 1, 2003, with renowned oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard; and

WHEREAS, participating as one of twenty-eight "Student Argonauts" in the JASON Project, Miss Pambianchi was a member of an expedition team who worked hand-in-hand with a select group of researchers, teachers and students from around the world; and

WHEREAS, Miss Pambianchi, who was nominated by Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Mississippi, for the expedition, joined the JASON Project, which is an award winning, multidisciplinary educational program recognized for the incorporation of a live expedition, innovative technologies, hands-on science curriculum, and Internet activities for the middle grades; and

WHEREAS, Miss Pambianchi experienced a virtual journey onthe JASON Project and completed hands-on fieldwork with leading scientists in the unique "laboratory" of the Channel Islands region and studied the islands' interconnected ecosystems from fascinating pinnipeds, such as the elephant seal and California sea lion, to complex and fragile giant kelp forests; and

WHEREAS, as a "Student Argonaut," Miss Pambianchi worked with NASA's leading spacecraft engineers using new remote sending small uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) and accessing data from NASA's new Terra and Aqua satellites to aid in monitoring and managing the level of vitality within the Channel Islands' diverse ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi to recognize and honor a young individual such as Miss Gina Pambianchi, who participated in the JASON Project where her passion to pursue learning in science, math, and technology through exploration and discovery were realized:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we commend and congratulate Miss Gina Pambianchi for her participation in The International Science Expedition JASON XIV: From Shore to Sea as a "Student Argonaut."