[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10997-S10998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO DEAN KAMEN FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Dean Kamen of Manchester, NH. Mr. Kamen was recently 
inducted into the renowned National Academy of Engineers for his 
invention and commercialization of biomedical devices and fluid 
measurement and control systems.
  Mr. Kamen is currently the president of DEKA Research and Development 
Corp. of Manchester, NH. He studied at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 
where he earned his degrees in physics and has also received an 
honorary doctorate of science degree from Worcester Polytechnic 
Institute as well as Daniel Webster College. Dean has more than 35 U.S. 
patents attributed to him which range from a volumetric pump with 
replaceable reservoir assembly to an integral intravenous fluid 
delivery device.
  Dean's innovations and significant contributions to the field of 
engineering have strengthened the economy of New Hampshire as well as 
the Nation. Dean is also recognized for using skills and influence to 
promote scientific inquiry at this critical time in America, a time 
when more young people are needed in the fields of science. Combining 
sports and scientific discovery, Dean established the FIRST robotics 
competition for young people. He is currently working on a science and 
technology museum project in Manchester, NH, which will be a valuable 
addition to the town, as well as the scientific community.
  Entrance into the National Academy of Engineers is an extremely 
prestigious honor. In fact, it is among the highest honors with which 
an engineer can be bestowed. Engineers are nominated and then elected 
to the academy by the current membership. Becoming a member is a 
validation of an engineer's great contributions to science by his 
peers, and many scientists work to achieve this honor throughout their 
lives. Dean is one of 85 engineers and 8 foreign associates who was 
inducted into the academy in early October.
  Dean's induction into the National Academy of Engineering is only one 
of the numerous honors he has received. He is a fellow with the 
American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, in addition 
to being appointed a senior lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of 
Technology.
  Renowed the world over in various science fields for inventions and 
advances in engineering, Dean has established a tradition of greatness 
with his work. In 1995 he was awarded the Hoover Medal for ``innovation 
that has advanced medical care worldwide, and for innovative and 
imaginative leadership in awakening America to the excitement of 
technology and its surpassing importance in bettering the lot of 
mankind.'' Dean has also received the International John W. Hyatt 
Service to Mankind Award for service to humankind through the use of 
plastics.

[[Page S10998]]

  I have known Dean for over a decade, and I am very proud of the 
important advances he has made in engineering. He has increased the 
quality of lives through his engineering feats not just in New 
Hampshire, but also the United States and the world. He represents the 
very best in science today: a man of great expertise, capability, and 
integrity. The Granite State is fortunate to have Dean working in our 
State. His innovations in engineering are priceless. Both Dean, as well 
as the other members of the National Academy of Engineering, are 
national treasures. I congratulate Dean Kamen on this distinguished 
honor; it could not have been bestowed on a more deserving 
individual.

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