SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 957

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the members of the Texas National MATHCOUNTS team, who won first place at the MATHCOUNTS national competition held in Orlando, Florida, on May 8, 2009; and

WHEREAS, The winning Texas team was made up of eighth-grader Yury Aglyamov from Kealing Middle School in Austin, seventh-grader Steven Chen from Canyon Vista Middle School in Round Rock, and eighth-graders Bobby Shen and Lilly Shen from First Colony Middle School in Sugar Land; and

WHEREAS, Mathlete Bobby Shen bested more than 20,000 competitors nationwide to win first place and become the 2009 national MATHCOUNTS champion; he and teammate Lilly Shen represented the United States at the 2009 Primary Mathematics World Competition in Hong Kong as members of the American team that tied for first place; and

WHEREAS, The 2009 national championship is the third consecutive championship for Texas and the fourth title in five years; Sugar Land math teacher Jeff Boyd coached all four of the winning Texas teams; he has proved to be a skillful and talented trainer and now has the best coaching record in the history of the MATHCOUNTS program; and

WHEREAS, MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide mathematics enrichment and competition program for middle school students that promotes student interest in career opportunities in mathematics, engineering, technology, and science; some 500,000 students nationwide are exposed to the program each year through coaching sessions at the school level; and

WHEREAS, Skills in mathematics are critical to success in today's workplace; these fine young students and their coach have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment in working to accomplish their goals; they are fine representatives of this state, and they deserve recognition for their outstanding achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby commend each member of the Texas MATHCOUNTS team for winning the national championship title and extend to all best wishes for success in all their future endeavors; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for them as an expression of highest regard from the Texas Senate. Watson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 19, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate