CONGRATULATING McCUTCHEON HIGH SCHOOL'S MAVERICKS ROBOTICS TEAM

On 2025-04-30, Representative James R. Baird (R-IN-4) delivered a floor speech titled "CONGRATULATING McCUTCHEON HIGH SCHOOL'S MAVERICKS ROBOTICS TEAM" in the House.

CONGRATULATING McCUTCHEON HIGH SCHOOL'S MAVERICKS ROBOTICS TEAM

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [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. ____________________