pic: Israeli President Shimon Peres and Dean Kamen at the pit area

[David55]

The President, Shimon Peres, is a big supporter of FIRST. He was also at the regional last year (before he became President), and met with team 1574 earlier this year (pictures of both are on CD-Media). I believe, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that he also helped bring Microsoft in as a main sponsor of FIRST Israel this year. It is great that he is committed to promoting programs like FIRST...it's just a shame that he doesn't really have the power to make any substantial changes regarding funding for the program etc. (in Israel the President is more of a ceremonial figure while the Prime Minister is the actual head of government).

<random fact> his grandson was on team 1577 with me. </random fact>