FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1^st, 2013

Paulsen Helps Award Minnesota ‘Doodle 4 Google’ Winner

Local 3^rd Grader Moves on to National Competition 

Brooklyn Park, MN – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today joined Google, and students, teachers, friends, and family at Maranatha Christian Academy in Brooklyn Park, to announce that 3^rd grader Carlson Nelson was the Minnesota winner of the ‘Doodle4Google’ contest. ‘Doodle4Google’ is an annual program that invites K-12 students in the United States to redesign the Google homepage logo. This year’s theme is “My Best Day Ever…” Carlson will now compete nationally with other state winners in hopes of seeing his artwork appear on the Google homepage, receive a $30,000 college scholarship, and a $50,000 technology grant for Maranatha Christian Academy.  

“I’m proud to represent a state where students, teachers, and parents work hard each and every day to make our community a great place to learn.” Paulsen said, speaking at the event. “This contest is a great example of young people exploring their creativity and cultivating their artistic skills, as well as tying it into technology and seeing it come to life.” 

3^rd Grader Carlson Nelson described his best day ever, which inspired his Doodle, “This summer my Grandpa took our family on a cruise to Alaska. On one of the days on shore he took my dad, my brother and me fishing and we caught a huge salmon! It was the best day ever!"

"We run the Doodle4Google contest every year to share our playful and creative company spirit, and stir the imaginations of talented kids all around the country,” said Rachel Durfee, a Mountain View based Googler. “As a native Minnesotan it was very exciting to have Congressman Paulsen in attendance to present the award to the MN State Winner."

Carlson Nelson’s award-winning Google Doodle:  

Learn more about the competition here. 

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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