WHEREAS, the James Madison High School Robotics Club is commended for its first-place finish in the 2009 NASA FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Washington, D.C., regional competition; and

WHEREAS, each year, the robot's assignment is announced on the NASA cable TV channel the first Saturday in January; the James Madison High School Robotics Club (the Warbots) then design, build, program, test, and ship their robot before President's Day; and

WHEREAS, the Warbots have participated in the NASA FIRST Competition for the past nine years; they work every evening alongside their teacher sponsors and parent mentors to complete their assignment; and

WHEREAS, the parents of the students become actively involved not only by mentoring but also by taking turns providing dinner every night; many parent mentors continue to come back even after their own students graduate; and

WHEREAS, approximately 60 students are members of the Warbots; the students work diligently to raise the $30,000 cost of competition annually from corporations, organizations, and individual donations; and

WHEREAS, among more than 3,500 Robotics teams worldwide, the Warbots placed first in the 2009 Washington, D.C., regional competition and won the 2009 Best Website award; they then traveled to the national championship in Atlanta, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the Warbots have also participated in ViVa! Vienna!, Elementary School Robotics Day, the Virginia State Fair, and the Maryland State Fair; and

WHEREAS, the NASA FIRST program encourages students to think creatively and critically, draw on and expand their knowledge of science and technology, and work with other students as a team; and

WHEREAS, the Warbots have demonstrated great knowledge, talent, and skill with their first-place finish and provide great hope and assurance for the future of science and technology in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend the James Madison High School Robotics Club on its outstanding first-place finish in the 2009 NASA FIRST Washington, D.C., regional competition; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the James Madison High School Robotics Club as an expression of the General Assembly's respect and admiration for its many accomplishments and best wishes for success in the future.