July 25, 2012

Remarks: As co-chair of the Career & Technical Education Caucus, I rise to recognize Mr. Carson Baird on his retirement from the Penn State University's Learning Factory. Carson Baird's background in motorsports started in racing, while proudly serving in the United States Army in Germany. Following his service, he went on to hold the International Motor Sports Association Championship, 3 manufacturer championships, and 3 driver championships -- having raced in classics such as the 24 hours of Daytona and the 24 hours at Lemans. Since 1994, Carson Baird has served as Supervisor of the Learning Factory, supporting the mission to bring the real-world into the classroom, by providing engineering students with hands-on experience through industry-sponsored projects. Carson Baird helped oversee an expansion of the Learning Factory that doubled its size and in 2006 he was part of a team honored with the National Academy of Engineering's Gordon prize for "Innovations in Engineering Education". Carson Baird has applied his motor sports background to assist nearly 700 students on 150 projects that span 13 majors and engage students in 5 colleges. I commend Mr. Carson Baird on his vision and dedication to tomorrow's engineers and wish him the best in retirement. ###