The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to honor the students of West Philadelphia High School for their outstanding achievement in winning the 17th Annual Northeastern Sustainable Energy Association’s Tour De Sol car race in Saratoga Springs, New York on Saturday, May 14, 2005.
WHEREAS, The United States and the world are concerned about the high price of oil, and the long term prospects for finding sustainable and renewable sources of energy to replace oil. Someday we may not have the fuel we need to operate the millions of cars that currently operate around the world, and we need to find alternatives; and
WHEREAS, This ambitious group of six public high school students along with three teachers set out to assemble a hybrid car for the future that would use much less fuel. They obtained the body fame from a European kit, and foraged over one thousand parts from other cars; and
WHEREAS, The students then installed in the car a 300-horsepower electric motor in the front, and a 100-horsepower Volkswagen turbo diesel engine in the back. All the mounting and reconfiguration of the car was performed at the West Philadelphia High School Shop; and
WHEREAS, They entered the race on May 14th against a field that included fifteen schools, many with much more experience in energy efficient car design, and they won! None of the competitors were able to match the speed and quickness of West Philadelphia. The car has clocked speeds of over 150 miles per hour and can accelerate from zero to 60 in four seconds; and
WHEREAS, The future of hybrid cars is now thanks to the winning racing team consisting of Devereaux Knight, Dauwell Sterling, Jacques Jean-Baptiste, Arnold Carroll, Christopher Newell, Brian Baban and Victor Webster, and teachers, David Jenkins, Director, Clayton Kinsler, Simon Hauger and Ronald Preiss; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the students of West Philadelphia High School.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the West Philadelphia High School as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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