Daily log 8/28/02

Congratulations to all for a splendid result this morning at the

event! Red challenged everyone and set a high bar on Monday; you met

that challenge. On to the next one.

Senators Spector and Murphy got what we intended them to get; Senator

Spector made a public commitment for $500,000 by 10/1/02, and is

taking his request to Washington in the next week.

An article on the front page of the Post Gazette started the day,

television coverage featuring the senators and Red completed it.

In the NREC auditorium, classroom #3 featured John Weir and Ken

Yuengling from Black Wolf Mining and PBS Coals. They participated

fully, stimulating us with several possibilities for further use of

mine mapping robots. Their acknowledgement of the event and the

group was moving; they commented on their surprise at what they heard

and saw during the event--every element exceeded their expectations.

Chuck Whittaker reported on his trip to NIOSH safety research mine in

Bruceton Mills, PA yesterday and interacted with Weir and Yuengling.

Creativity flew through the air. Red called the whole day at NREC

magical.

He welcomed a new participant and again encouraged everyone to invite

appropriate students to join the course, stressing the importance of

more people to participate.

Red acknowledged everyone and reminded us of the task to be

accomplished during the next 2 weeks: formulating the specifications

for what we're going to do.