Honor Brooklyn Tech Adviser

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.