Honoring West Philadelphia High School's Hybrid X Team for being among the Top Finalists in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize Contest and Recognizing Team Member Brandon Ford for his Special Invitation to Sit with First Lady Michelle Obama at President Barak Obama's State of the Union Address.

WHEREAS, The West Philadelphia High School's Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering formed the Hybrid X Team to compete in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize contest to build a car that would get 100 miles to the gallon; and

WHEREAS, The Hybrid X Team gained national attention for a surprisingly strong showing in the contest, finishing among 21 finalists out of 111 entrants, for building a Ford Focus that achieved 65 miles to the gallon; and

WHEREAS, West Philly High was the only high school to enter the competition which included auto makers, entrepreneurs and some of the nation's most prestigious universities; and

WHEREAS, The team's performance in the contest earned them an invitation to President Barak Obama's announcement of a new math and science initiative in September 2010, but unfortunately, team member Brandon Ford, 18, forgot his student I.D. and was not allowed to enter the White House with his team; and

WHEREAS, Hearing of Brandon's misfortune, President Obama's technology adviser, John Holdren called Brandon to invite him to join First Lady, Michelle Obama, at the State of the Union Address in Washington; and

WHEREAS, During the trip to the Capital, Brandon and his mother, Linda Jackson, had the opportunity to meet U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan and John Holdren; and

WHEREAS, While in Washington, the White House asked that four team members attend the unveiling of President Obama's “Change the Equation” program; and

WHEREAS, The winner of the $5 million grand prize was so impressed with the team that he invited them to build an electric version of his winning design; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Philadelphia City Council hereby Honors West Philadelphia High School's Hybrid X Team for being among the Top Finalists in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize Contest and Recognizes Team Member Brandon Ford for his Special Invitation to Sit with First Lady Michelle Obama at President Barak Obama's State of the Union Address; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be Presented as a Sincere Expression of this Council's Appreciation and Recognition of the Hybrid X Team's Hard Work and Outstanding Achievement.

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