Senate Resolution No. 35

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Richard M. Capozzi for his role as
Academic Adviser of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Competition Team from Brooklyn Technical High School

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord
with its long-standing traditions, to commend notable educators and
coaches who serve the youth of this great Empire State and who have
distinguished themselves and their schools through outstanding
commitment and exemplary scholastic achievement; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Richard M. Capozzi for his dedicated service as Academic Adviser
of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition team from Brooklyn
Technical High School; and

WHEREAS, Samsung is dedicated to helping people discover a world of
possibilities, and have made it their mission to raise student interest
in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects nationwide
through innovative programs with our partners that will help us all
build a better tomorrow; and

WHEREAS, To excite students about the possibilities of STEM
education, Samsung started the Solve for Tomorrow education contest,
giving schools across the United States the opportunity to raise
interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math subjects among
students by awarding their schools with a share of technology products;
and

WHEREAS, For almost three decades, Richard M. Capozzi has been a
dedicated teacher in the New York City public school system; two years
ago, he joined the English department at Brooklyn Technical High School;
and

WHEREAS, In September of 2015, Richard M. Capozzi volunteered to
serve as the Grants & Competitions point person for the English
department; after viewing the details for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
competition, he issued a call for proposals to the entire student body
of over 5,000 individuals; all told, he received 50 proposals; and

WHEREAS, With help from members of the Physics department, Richard
M. Capozzi chose Alison Collard de Beaufort's proposal of tackling the
ever escalating problem of pedestrian fatalities in urban environments
by teaming up with the international organization Vision Zero, as well
as anticipating how STEM might contribute to reducing the number of
pedestrian fatalities to zero; and

WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, the team included students well-versed
in mobile app development, video production, and community organizing;
under the luminous guidance of Richard M. Capozzi, the extraordinary
students from Brooklyn Technical High School designed a smartwatch app
to protect children from car accidents; and

WHEREAS, The functional prototype, which the students hope will be
polished further and used by consumers, detects an oncoming car based on
the sound waves emitted by its engine; the watch's alarm then warns its
wearer to get out of the way; and

WHEREAS, After submitting their group effort, the team was overjoyed
to learn that Brooklyn Technical High School was one of five National
Winners in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition out of 4,100
entries; the team was then proudly named one of five winners of this
prestigious national contest; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire process, Richard M. Capozzi remained
devoted to his team, diligently working to file all paperwork in a
timely manner, ensure the team worked well together and the video was
effectively produced, edited, and uploaded; in addition, he edited the
team's submissions to various phases of the competition and coached the
students for their pitch event; and

WHEREAS, Richard M. Capozzi's positive demeanor, selfless
commitment, and caring concern have contributed to his enduring success
as a coach and mentor, earning him the just respect and admiration of
his community, his peers, and the students he has so ably coached; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Richard M. Capozzi for his role as Academic Adviser of the
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition team from Brooklyn Technical High
School; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Richard M. Capozzi.