Rev. Jesse Jackson, FIRST Founder Dean Kamen Recognize Pontiac-Area FIRST Robotics Teams

Delphi Plays Host to Event at Pontiac Central High School

PONTIAC, Mich., Sept. 22 -- The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and FIRST founder Dean Kamen visited the City of Pontiac today to recognize the accomplishments of teams from five schools in the area that participate in the FIRST Robotics program.

Delphi Corp. and the Chief Delphi FIRST team from Pontiac Central High School played host to the event, which also was intended to encourage other schools to participate in the program and companies to support them. Jackson was joined at the event by Pontiac Mayor Willie Payne, city and school officials, and leaders from DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group, Delphi and General Motors.

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition provides high school students with the opportunity to work alongside professional engineers to design, build and test robots that compete against other robots designed by other teams.

"The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition is honored to participate in this fruitful initiative," Jackson said. "For over 35 years, we have inspired young minds to PUSH for excellence and keep hope alive. These students deserve our applause and unwavering support."

Jackson, Payne and Kamen were joined at the celebration by J.T. Battenberg III, Delphi chairman, CEO and president; Rod Gillum, vice president, corporate responsibility and diversity for GM; Al Canton, executive director of the GM Milford, Mich., Proving Grounds and Test Labs; and Leven Weiss, manager of community relations for the Chrysler Group.

Payne presented certificates of accomplishment to each of the five teams on behalf of the city, which included the General Motors Huskie Brigade team from Pontiac Northern High School, which was part of the winning alliance of teams at the 2003 FIRST Robotics Competition National Championship held earlier this year.

"It's wonderful to have our honored corporate citizens and men of high esteem (Jackson and Kamen) investing in the City of Pontiac's greatest asset, which is our young people," Mayor Payne said at the ceremony. "Our youth are our future and the barometer of how well we've passed on what we've earned and learned as well as received from those that went before us."

The Delphi-sponsored Chief Delphi team from Pontiac Central High School was honored for being one of the first 10 teams ever to be inducted into the National FIRST Hall of Fame. Among its major accomplishments, Chief Delphi has won three regional championships and the Chairman's Award at the FIRST National Competition in 1997.

The Chrysler Group Killer Bees from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep High School, the Chrysler Juggernauts from the Oakland County Schools Northeast Technical Campus, and the GM Truck Town Thunder team made up of eight schools from Northern Oakland County schools also were honored. These three teams have combined for a total of four regional championships and three regional finalist awards. The Juggernauts won a national championship in 1999.

"When I think about FIRST's success stories, I immediately think of the students and teams from Pontiac," Kamen said. "Over the years these teams have matured in every way. Their technical skills have made them outstanding competitors while their dedication and perseverance have made them outstanding examples of what can be accomplished through teamwork."

FIRST is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 that conducts programs in science, math, engineering, and technology, including the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST LEGO League, and FIRST Place. To learn more about FIRST and the 2004 FIRST Robotics Competition go to www.usfirst.org .