[pathew100]

Here's my letter that I sent off. I hope it helps!

Dear Legislators from my District:

I am an engineer at Visteon Corporation and mentor for the FIRST robotics team from the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park. I feel very strongly that FIRST Robotics is making a difference in the future success of our state and our country.

I am giving back to my community because there was no program like this when I was in high school. It is a tremendous opportunity for our children to learn about science and technology. I became an engineer because I was inspired by my father who was an engineer at Ford and because he encouraged me to learn about 'how things work' and 'why is it made that way?'. Many children today may want to learn these things but do not have the opportunity.

I believe that two things are happening simultaneously that are challenging the ability for the people of United States of America to remain the innovators of technology in the world. First, children are inundated constantly by television, the Internet, and media that the greatest role models in life are sports stars and celebrities and becoming one of these should be their goal. Second, the technology in world around us is constantly evolving and becoming more complex even as it improves our quality of life. The FIRST Robotics program addresses both of these issues.

Today's children need to be able to not only use technology but they also need to understand how it works. The students that get involved in FIRST Robotics and similar programs can actually answer the question that all science and math students face at some time, "What good is learning this? When am I ever going to use this stuff anyway?" And they get these answers while they are still in high school. Critical thinking and problem solving are not classes taught in school, they can only be learned by applying knowledge. The students that I work on my FIRST team genuinely look up to me. They are learning concepts and applying knowledge that I was only first exposed to in upper level college courses. They see that a career in engineering is rewarding and being called a 'geek' or 'nerd' can be a compliment!

Please reconsider reinstating Sec 99 (C) of the State School Aid Act. As you are no doubt aware many companies in Michigan are struggling to stay afloat. Many times support of these valuable programs is one of the first items cut because in the companies' budget it is 'low-hanging fruit'. This state funding would be taxpayer money that would be very well spent. Please do the right thing to keep our children ahead of the curve.

Regards,
Patrick Murphy
Product Design Engineer, Visteon Corporation
Mentor, Lighting Robotics, Team #862 - Plymouth-Canton High Schools