H3090 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 4, 2010 Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, at this Whereas LaserFest is a year-long celebra- standing that, in a prior life, Dr. time, I would ask that my colleagues tion of the 50th anniversary intended to EHLERS knew one of the persons cited support H. Res. 1213. bring public awareness to the story of the in this resolution, Dr. Townes, so it is I yield back the balance of my time. laser and scientific achievement generally, especially fitting that he is the spon- and was founded by the following partners: The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the Optical Society of America, the Amer- sor. question is on the motion offered by ican Physical Society, the International So- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. ciety for Optical Engineering, and IEEE: support the resolution, and I reserve FUDGE) that the House suspend the Now, therefore, be it the balance of my time. rules and agree to the resolution, H. Resolved, That the House of Representa- Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield myself Res. 1213. tives— such time as I may consume. The question was taken. (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 1310 celebrates The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the laser; and the 50th anniversary of the construc- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being (2) recognizes the need for continued sup- tion of the laser, marking a major port of scientific research to maintain Amer- in the affirmative, the ayes have it. ica’s future competitiveness. milestone in scientific discovery. Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, on that I In 1953, Charles Townes produced demand the yeas and nays. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- what would become a precursor to the The yeas and nays were ordered. ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from laser—the first microwave amplifier. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Ohio (Ms. FUDGE) and the gentleman Townes and his colleagues teamed up ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the from Texas (Mr. HALL) each will con- with Bell Laboratories in 1957 to begin Chair’s prior announcement, further trol 20 minutes. extensive research on the amplification proceedings on this motion will be The Chair recognizes the gentle- devices. Their focus shifted only to postponed. woman from Ohio. those amplifiers which produced visible GENERAL LEAVE f light. In 1958, Bell Laboratories sub- Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I ask mitted a patent for an optical laser. RECOGNIZING THE 50TH unanimous consent that all Members However, such a device had yet to be ANNIVERSARY OF THE LASER may have 5 legislative days to revise successfully created. It was not until Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I move to and extend their remarks and to in- Charles Townes and Gordon Gould met suspend the rules and agree to the reso- clude extraneous material on H. Res. in 1958 that the fundamentals of the lution (H. Res. 1310) recognizing the 1310, the resolution now under consid- laser and of the open resonator design 50th anniversary of the laser. eration. were first discussed. In 1960, Theodore The Clerk read the title of the resolu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Maiman constructed the first oper- tion. objection to the request of the gentle- ational laser. He used theories and The text of the resolution is as fol- woman from Ohio? plans published by Bell Labs, Gould, lows: There was no objection. and Townes to construct this remark- H. RES. 1310 Ms. FUDGE. I yield myself such time able device. Whereas the invention of the laser was one as I may consume. Charles Townes was later awarded of the groundbreaking scientific achieve- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Nobel Prize for Physics, along with ments of the 20th century; House Resolution 1310, which cele- scientists Nikolay Basov and Alek- Whereas in 1953, Charles H. Townes, along brates the 50th anniversary of the cre- sandr Prokhorov, for their work in with graduate students James Gordon and ation of the first laser. quantum electronics, which laid the Herbert Zeiger produced the first master de- The world’s first laser was operated groundwork for the construction of la- vice, which was a precursor to the laser that on May 16, 1960. It was constructed by relied on microwave radiation instead of sers. visible or infrared radiation; Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research We rely on lasers in our daily lives, Whereas concurrent to Charles H. Townes’ Laboratories in Malibu, California. and they are found in everyday prod- activities, Nikolay Basov and Aleksandr This was a significant engineering and ucts, such as laser printers, barcode Prokhorov of the Soviet Union independ- scientific feat. scanners, and numerous medical de- ently produced a maser with significant Theodore Maiman’s work was pre- vices. The world sales of lasers are esti- technical advances which allowed contin- ceded by theoretical work by Charles mated at well over $5 billion to date. uous output; Townes, James Gordon, Herbert Zeiger, Today, in large part, we realize that Whereas Charles H. Townes, Nikolay Nikolay Basov, and Aleksandr Basov, and Aleksandr Prokhorov shared the great success stories, such as the con- 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics for their ‘‘funda- Prokhorov. Townes, Basov, and struction of lasers, are due to Amer- mental work in the field of quantum elec- Prokhorov won the 1964 Nobel Prize in ican ingenuity, which stems directly tronics’’, which led to the construction of Physics for their work. from the investment in basic research masers, and subsequently lasers; One of the peculiarities of the and in our outstanding institutions of Whereas in 1960, Theodore H. Maiman con- achievement of the invention of the higher learning. The laser is a prime structed the first functioning laser at laser is that, for many years after its example of basic research that ended Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, creation, the laser was an invention up having multiple applications well California, and the laser was first operated without many practical applications. on May 16, 1960; beyond what its creators could have Whereas Theodore H. Maiman was the re- However, as time went on, scientists ever conceived. cipient of the 1983/1984 Wolf Prize in Physics and engineers recognized the incredible The construction of the laser is but for his realization of the first operating potential of the laser. Today, the laser one example that leaves me confident laser; is almost ubiquitous. It can be found in in America’s place at the top of the sci- Whereas since being created in 1960, lasers almost every home, office, and auto- entific world. I applaud these great sci- have become an integral and essential part mobile in America. Lasers are also big entists for their contributions to our of our daily lives. Lasers can be found in a business, with annual laser sales ap- community, and I urge my colleagues wide range of applications including in com- proaching $6 billion per year, and grow- pact disc players, laser printers, barcode to do the same. scanners, digital video devices (DVDs), in- ing. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance dustrial welders, and surgical apparatus, The story of the laser is illustrative of my time. amongst others; of how investments in basic R&D can Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I would Whereas total global sales of lasers in 2010 have huge economic and scientific im- just ask that my colleagues support is expected to top 5.9 billion dollars; plications down the road. It is a story this resolution, H. Res. 1310, and I yield Whereas innovations flowing from basic re- to remember well as this Congress pre- back the balance of my time. search such as the laser have made America pares to take up the America COM- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The into the world leader in technology develop- PETES Reauthorization Act in the question is on the motion offered by ment; Whereas continued support of scientific re- coming weeks. the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. search programs is indispensible to main- I would like to take a moment to rec- FUDGE) that the House suspend the taining America’s position as the global ognize the sponsor of this resolution, rules and agree to the resolution, H. leader in technology and innovation; and Dr. VERN EHLERS. It is my under- Res. 1310.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:51 Sep 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\H04MY0.REC H04MY0 mmaher on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE May 4, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3091 The question was taken; and (two- tional pride and confidence in the space pro- April 1, 1960, the United States Tele- thirds being in the affirmative) the gram; vision Infrared Observation Satellite, rules were suspended and the resolu- Whereas, since the launch of TIROS I, the better known as TIROS I, dem- tion was agreed to. United States has launched over 82 experi- onstrated the beginning of a new Amer- A motion to reconsider was laid on mental and operational meteorological sat- ellites; ican capability—the ability to examine the table. Whereas NASA’s Nimbus Satellites and weather patterns from space and to en- f Advanced Communications Technology Sat- able the early warnings of storms. The TIROS I spacecraft gave the CELEBRATING 50TH ANNIVERSARY ellite continued to enhance understanding and performance by further testing and de- United States crucial experience re- OF THE U.S. TELEVISION INFRA- velopment of space power systems, sensor de- lated to satellite technology and appli- RED OBSERVATION SATELLITE velopment, and other technologies; cations. Over the past 50 years, NASA Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I move to Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmos- has continued to develop increasingly suspend the rules and agree to the reso- pheric Administration (NOAA) manages and capable weather satellites for oper- lution (H. Res. 1231) celebrating the operates fleets of satellites for the purposes ation by the National Oceanic and At- 50th anniversary of the United States of environmental and weather monitoring; Whereas similar TIROS missions employed mospheric Administration. Because of Television Infrared Observation Sat- launch vehicles, spacecraft, and imaging the technology pioneered by TIROS I, ellite, the world’s first meteorological equipment that was developed by NASA, the meteorologists have access to informa- satellite, launched by the National United States Air Force and their contrac- tion that helps to save lives and prop- Aeronautics and Space Administration tors and has performed in an outstanding erty around the world. Today, Amer- on April 1, 1960, and fulfilling the prom- manner; ican Earth observation satellites track ise of President Eisenhower to all na- Whereas the next 50 years of United States everything from the movements of vol- tions of the world to promote the accomplishments in space, like other impor- canic ash over Europe to the spread of peaceful use of space for the benefit of tant fields, will rely on individuals pos- petroleum over the Gulf of Mexico. sessing strong mathematics, science, and en- TIROS I is a shining example of the all mankind. gineering skills and the educators who will The Clerk read the title of the resolu- train such individuals; and peaceful use of outer space and of the tion. Whereas the United States space program benefits that our civil space program The text of the resolution is as fol- enables the development of advanced tech- provides for the United States and for lows: nologies, skills, and capabilities that support the world. H. RES. 1231 the competitiveness and economic growth of I want to thank my colleague from Whereas, April 1, 2010, is the 50th anniver- the United States: Now, therefore, be it New Jersey (Mr. HOLT) for introducing sary of the launch by the United States of Resolved, That the House of Representa- this resolution, and I urge my col- the Television Infrared Observation Satellite tives— leagues to join me in supporting H. (TIROS I), the first weather observation sat- (1) celebrates the achievement of the Na- Res. 1231, marking the 50th anniversary ellite, that was capable of taking television tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- tion and the Television Infrared Observation of TIROS I. images on command and remotely at loca- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of tions around the world, and either recording Satellite (TIROS I) team who worked to- gether to enable the successful launch and my time. the pictures as television signals for subse- Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield myself quent playback or transmitting the images operation of TIROS I by the United States to to ground stations in real time; establish applications of space systems and such time as I may consume. Whereas TIROS resulted from the actions technology for the benefit of people world- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support by President Eisenhower and Congress to wide; of House Resolution 1231, celebrating create the National Aeronautics and Space (2) supports science, technology, engineer- the 50th anniversary of the United Administration (NASA), a civilian space ing, and mathematics education programs States Television Infrared Observation agency, which applied technology from sev- which are critical for preparing the next gen- Satellite, which is the world’s first me- eral military programs that had been di- eration of engineers and scientists to lead fu- teorological satellite, launched by the ture United States space endeavors; rected by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Devel- National Aeronautics and Space Ad- opment and Research Labs (USASCDRL) at (3) recognizes the role of the United States space program in strengthening the sci- ministration on April 1, 1960. Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and the United The launching of Sputnik in 1957 sig- States Army Ballistic Missile Agency in entific and engineering foundation that con- Huntsville, Alabama; tributes to United States innovation and naled the Soviet Union’s advances in Whereas TIROS I images offered mete- economic growth; and the space race with the United States. orologists the ability to examine large-scale (4) looks forward to the next 50 years of This event caused the creation of weather patterns to improve weather fore- United States achievements in the peaceful NASA, and it precipitated the push by casting and enable early warning of ap- use of space to benefit all mankind. the U.S. to gain a technological advan- proaching storms, thus saving lives and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tage in space. It was during this time property around the world; ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from that NASA launched the Television In- Whereas the TIROS I images led to a bet- Ohio (Ms. FUDGE) and the gentleman frared Observation Satellite, or TIROS, ter understanding of global patterns and sup- from Texas (Mr. HALL) each will con- to determine if satellites could be use- ported transmission of detailed local weath- trol 20 minutes. er information to national weather agencies ful in the study of the Earth. around the world; The Chair recognizes the gentle- It was unknown whether or not sat- Whereas the realization of TIROS I was woman from Ohio. ellite observations would be an effec- made possible by years of development of GENERAL LEAVE tive means to determine the meteoro- computers, missile systems, television imag- Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I ask logical condition on the Earth’s sur- ing, magnetic recording, semiconductor de- unanimous consent that all Members face. Scientists postulated that space- vices, and solar cell applications, all of may have 5 legislative days to revise based observations would be highly which resulted from both Government and and extend their remarks and to in- useful for weather forecasting. private sector investments; clude extraneous material on H. Res. TIROS was equipped with two tele- Whereas Government investments in re- vision cameras, with a magnetic tape search and development made possible the 1231, the resolution now under consid- deployment of satellite tracking networks, eration. recorder and with antennas. This sim- worldwide WWV receiver time base systems, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ple configuration relayed thousands of tracking data reduction for orbit element de- objection to the request of the gentle- pictures of the Earth’s cloud cover, giv- termination, and other facilities essential to woman from Ohio? ing scientists the first real insight into the satellite applications; There was no objection. the complexity of the Earth’s atmos- Whereas Government and contractor per- Ms. FUDGE. I yield myself such time phere. When the first accurate weather sonnel collaborated to observe and analyze as I may consume. forecasts based on data collected from the motion of TIROS I in the Earth’s mag- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support TIROS were completed, it became obvi- netic field, and developed satellite magnetic attitude controls for later TIROS and other of H. Res. 1231, celebrating the 50th an- ous that this technology would revolu- spacecraft to utilize the Earth’s magnetic niversary of the United States Tele- tionize meteorology and that it would field to orient satellites in Earth orbit; vision Infrared Observation Satellite. have long-lasting impacts on society. Whereas the success of TIROS I was a sig- Launched by the National Aero- To demonstrate its usefulness to the nificant Cold War event that restored the na- nautics and Space Administration on world and to fulfill President Dwight

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