[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEFENSE DIVERSIFICATION ON DISPLAY IN NEW FILM

  (Mr. GEJDENSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, this last Friday we celebrated Steven 
Spielberg's filming at a former defense facility, not a war movie but a 
movie about slaves who revolted and freed themselves. As exciting as 
the topic of the story is, it was exciting to see defense 
diversification at work. Sonalyst Studios has the best sound stage in 
America. It used the sound technology it developed during the cold war 
with submarines and submarine quieting to build a sound stage.

                              {time}  1030

  Now a company is diversified, helping the economy of eastern 
Connecticut, providing jobs and then entertainment for the country. 
While we are still suffering some of the effects of the defense 
downsizing and the bad economy of the early nineties, small companies 
like Sonalyst Studios Ship Analysis and Technologies are taking their 
defense technologies and diversifying, expanding our economy and 
building the economy of the entire country. This event Friday night was 
spectacular to see some of the best in the entertainment industry 
coming to eastern Connecticut. Using our facilities at Sonalyst Studios 
is hopefully going to set a pattern for years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, we have still got pains in defense downsizing but it is 
exciting to see these companies using their own resources and 
investment to broaden their economic activity, benefiting the entire 
community.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield for one moment?
  Mr. GEJDENSON. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say to my friend that 
we are happy to see the entertainment industry moving to Connecticut 
partially, but we want them to know that their home continues to be in 
southern California, and we hope very much they will continue to make 
base there.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would say that we 
are happy at this stage to just have a small piece of what is happening 
in southern California, and we will fight over the larger share later.

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