TITLE: Congratulating the ITKAN Robotics team on winning two top awards at the FIRST Championship Robotics Competition.

SUMMARY: Congratulating the ITKAN Robotics team on winning two top awards at the FIRST Championship Robotics Competition.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The ITKAN Robotics team won two top awards at the 2023 FIRST Championship Robotics Competition held in Houston on April 19 through 22, 2023; and WHEREAS, FIRST is a nonprofit organization that promotes science, technology, engineering, and math education through a number of team-based robotics programs; each year, the organization holds a series of competitions culminating in the FIRST Championship, which draws more than 600 teams from countries around the world; and WHEREAS, The ITKAN First Robotics Competition (FRC) Team No. 9128 is composed of students from the Muslim American Society of Dallas-Fort Worth, the Islamic School of Irving, the East Plano Islamic Center, and the Valley Ranch Islamic Center; after earning awards at district and state events, the team advanced to the international competition, where they received the Rookie All Star Award, which recognizes a young but strong partnership effort, and the Championship Division Highest Rookie Seed Award, which celebrates the highest-seeded rookie team at the end of the qualifying rounds; and WHEREAS, The first all-Muslim team, ITKAN Robotics FRC No. 9128 further distinguished itself during the event, which took place during the last two days of Ramadan, by inviting everyone in attendance to join in Eid al-Fitr prayers, share breakfast, and receive Eid goodie bags; throughout the competition season, the group has benefited from the able guidance of Dr. Mohamed Ebeida, founder of ITKAN Institute of Technology, which seeks to provide STEM-focused education to underrepresented and underserved youth; and WHEREAS, The members of ITKAN Robotics have demonstrated tremendous skill, initiative, and dedication, and they may take great pride in their exceptional performance at the FIRST championship; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate ITKAN Robotics FRC No. 9128 on winning two top awards at the FIRST Championship Robotics Competition and extend to the team's members sincere best wishes for continued success in all their endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Johnson of Dallas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1715 was adopted by the House on May 25, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House