[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THOMAS ALVA EDISON COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                 ofohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 1998

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, when I introduced this bill on February 11, 
1997, Thomas Edison's 150th birthday, I had no idea what a monumental 
task getting a coin bill to the floor is. Obtaining 290 cosponsors is 
no small task, and I particularly want to thank some of the original 
cosponsors--David Bonior, Jerry Solomon, Don Payne, and Porter Goss--
for their exceptional efforts in making this bill possible.
  The coin to be issued will honor the world's greatest inventor, 
Thomas Edison, and the effort to get it minted reminds me of one of his 
many famous sayings, ``Genius is 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent 
perspiration.''
  To re-awaken America to the history of this national hero, this bill 
commemorates the 125th anniversary of the lightbulb, which Edison 
invented in 1879. The Treasury is authorized to issue a one-dollar 
commemorative coin in 2004 bearing Edison's likeness. The surcharges 
from the sale of the coins will be used to help fund eight different 
Edison locations across the country dedicated to extending Edison's 
legacy. This bill has no net cost to the federal government.
  Edison was born in my district and last year, the Edison Birthplace 
museum in my district in Milan, Ohio, was so strapped for funds that it 
asked local officials for help with the electric bill. Other Edison 
sites across the country are faced with similar financial difficulties.
  Edison was the most prolific inventor in American history with more 
that 1,300 patents. In addition to the lighbulb, these inventions 
include that stock ticker, the electronic vote recorder, and the 
phonograph.
  This coin bill will be a suitable memorial of Thomas Edison, and will 
also provide needed help to many historical sits across America.
  I would like to recognize two people on my staff, Christopher Bremer 
and Bill Wilson, both of whom put in long hours of work in developing 
the Edison legislation. Without their exceptional efforts, this bill 
would never have reached this point. All too often the contributions of 
Hill staff are unacknowledged and I want to extend my deepest thanks to 
them both for their efforts.

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