IN RECOGNITION OF UNT TAMS STUDENT ENTRIES IN THE CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 192
(Extensions of Remarks - December 03, 2019)
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[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.
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