Senate Resolution 17

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE HOUSTON VOCATIONAL CENTER "SUNDANCER" SOLAR RACE CAR TEAM FOR ITS SUCCESS AT THE DELL-WINSTON SOLAR CHALLENGE FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND FOR BRINGING ATTENTION TO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROGRAMS.

WHEREAS, the Houston Vocational Center in Houston, Mississippi, has surprised the nation with two solar-powered car racing championships; and

WHEREAS, the Houston "Sundancer" Solar Race Car Team has competed and won the Dell-Winston Solar Challenge, a national competition for alternative energy automobiles, in 2001, 2002 and 2003; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the privately-sponsored national race and the purpose of the Houston Solar Race Car Team is to encourage student interest in science, engineering and solar technology; and

WHEREAS, the Houston Solar Car Race Team has won the Dell-Winston National Solar Car Challenge for the past three years. They were the first Mississippi high school team to compete in an International Competition held in Australia in October 2003. They overcame a huge challenge in the Outback of Australia by completing the race as one of the few high school teams competing with college teams from around the world. They currently are preparing to compete again in the Dell-Winston nine-day race from Texas to Florida this year and are excited about having Biloxi High School Team join them in this summer's national race; and

WHEREAS, they have been busy helping Mississippi Alternative Energy Enterprise promote solar car racing in Mississippi high schools which will help promote economic development and alternative energy use; and

WHEREAS, President George Bush has urged state governments to work on projects to become less dependent on foreign oil, and members of the Legislature have advocated using Mississippi's natural resources to accomplish the goal of energy independence; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the unique accomplishments of these students whose interest in solar technology has brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Houston Vocational Center "Sundancer" Solar Race Car Team for winning the Dell-Winston Solar Challenge in three consecutive years, and for bringing attention to alternative energy resources in Mississippi through this project, and extend to them the best wishes of the Senate for success in future technological projects.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Houston Solar Race Car Team and their sponsors, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.