[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11807-S11808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        MINTING OF COINS IN COMMEMORATION OF THOMAS ALVA EDISON

  Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of H.R. 678, which is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows.

       A bill (H.R. 678) to require the Secretary of the Treasury 
     to mint coins in commemoration of Thomas Alva Edison and the 
     125th anniversary of Edison's invention of the light, and for 
     other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise in support of H.R. 678, the 
``Thomas Edison Commemorative Coin Act'', a bill that directs the 
Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue coins commemorating Thomas 
Edison and the 125th anniversary of the invention of the lightbulb. I 
am the author of the Senate version of this bill. In 1928, Congress saw 
fit to award to Mr. Edison a Congressional gold medal ``for the 
development and application of inventions that have revolutionized 
civilization in the last century.'' Mr. President, by passing this 
legislation today, we have the opportunity to once again honor the 
memory of one of the world's greatest inventors by issuing 
commemorative coins bearing Mr. Edison's likeness.
  Thomas Edison produced more than 1,300 inventions during the course 
of his lifetime, 1,093 of which were patented. These included the 
incandescent lightbulb, the alkaline battery, the phonograph, the 
microphone, motion picture cameras, and stock tickers. He was one of 
America's greatest inventors, and truly a genius. Formerly known as 
``The Wizard of Menlo Park'', he would spend countless hours in his 
labs in New Jersey coming up with ideas that ultimately made all our 
lives much easier.
  In 1887, Thomas Edison built his lab in West Orange, New Jersey. It 
was known as the world's first ``invention factory'', where he and his 
partners invented, built and shipped out numerous products stemming 
from Edison's work. He saw every failure as a success. One story is 
that Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times in his storage battery 
experiments. Instead of being dejected, he said ``Why, I haven't 
failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that it won't work.'' Conversely, 
in response to remarks about his success, he would say, ``Genius is 1% 
inspiration and 99% perspiration.'' It is now proper to honor this man 
who left such a lasting legacy with these commemorative coins.
  Mr. President, not only would these coins honor the memory of Thomas 
Edison, they would also raise revenue to support organizations that 
preserve his legacy. The two New Jersey sites,

[[Page S11808]]

the ``invention factory'' in West Orange, New Jersey and the Edison 
Memorial Tower in Edison, New Jersey, are in need of funding for 
maintenance and repair. Each year, nine thousand young students visit 
the West Orange site alone to learn about the great inventor. The 
proceeds from the sale of these coins will help to preserve 
irreplaceable records containing Edison's thoughts as well as priceless 
memorabilia. This bill, at no cost to the government, would provide the 
funds necessary to protect these and six other historical sites so that 
generations of school children can continue to visit them.
  Mr. President, I introduced similar legislation in the 104th Congress 
as well as at the beginning of this Congress. I now urge the passage of 
H.R. 678 so that we may honor the memory of Thomas Alva Edison and 
celebrate the 125th anniversary of the lightbulb while, at no cost to 
the government, providing needed funds to important historical sites.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent the bill be considered read a 
third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, 
and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 678) was considered read a third time and passed.

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