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1996 SESSION

966062364
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 357
Offered March 5, 1996
Commending the Gloucester High School Automotive and Electric Vehicle Team.
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Patrons-- Morgan, Bloxom and Cooper; Senators: Bolling and Norment
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Consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, in May of 1995, the Automotive and Electric Vehicle Team from Gloucester High School won the Electric Vehicle Grand Prix at Richmond International Raceway; and

WHEREAS, the team, comprised of 12 students from Gloucester High School, built its winning vehicle, the "Electric Duke," by refitting a conventional automobile donated by a local automobile dealer; and

WHEREAS, backed by contributions from many local businesses, the Gloucester team replaced the car's engine with an advanced electric motor and its gas tanks with 16 six-volt batteries; and

WHEREAS, the Electric Duke, piloted by professional stock-car driver Paul DeBolt, himself a native of Gloucester and a graduate of Gloucester High School, swept to victory in Richmond, beating 18 other cars from high schools in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, among the teams finishing behind the Gloucester Electric Duke was the defending national champion from Northampton County in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, by virtue of its triumph in Richmond, the Gloucester Automotive and Electric Vehicle Team qualified for Sixth Annual APS Electrics National Electric Vehicle Competition at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona, in March 1996; and

WHEREAS, following a successful community effort, involving the School Board, many local businesses, and the students of Gloucester High School, the $15,000 necessary for the trip to Phoenix was raised; and

WHEREAS, the Gloucester team did not disappoint its followers in Phoenix, finishing second in the design competition and the 1.6-kilometer endurance course, third in the 40-kilometer feature race, and first in the Spirit of Exide Award for Excellence competition; and

WHEREAS, for more than a year, the Gloucester High School Automotive and Electric Vehicle Team has represented Gloucester and the Commonwealth with great distinction in statewide and national competition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly heartily commend the Gloucester High School Automotive and Electric Vehicle team for its outstanding performance; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to Toby Calloway and Robert Healy, team leaders and automotive mechanics instructors at Gloucester High School, in honor of the championship performance of the Gloucester Electric Duke.