[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 150 (Friday, October 29, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ALBERT EINSTEIN MONUMENT AND SCIENCE GARDEN

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 28, 1999

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a very 
special ceremony taking place December 8, 1999: the dedication of the 
Albert Einstein Monument and Science Garden in Jerusalem. The monument 
and this occasion pay tribute to the greatest mind of the 20th Century 
and perhaps of all time--Albert Einstein. I also want to recognize the 
contributions of Dr. Dan Maydan, president of Applied Materials, Inc., 
whose generosity made this ceremony possible.
  Einstein's scientific revelations transformed mankind's understanding 
of the origins and nature of the universe, and placed within humanity's 
grasp the power of the elemental forces of nature. But Einstein's 
genius was not limited to the scientific realm alone, as he was also a 
great humanitarian, strong advocate for world peace and a proud Jew. A 
powerful advocate of a Jewish state all his life, Einstein delivered 
the first-ever scientific address at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem 
in 1923. Although he was never able to return to Israel, Einstein 
worked for the rest of his life for the rebirth of the Jewish State, 
whose presidency he was offered in 1955, shortly before his death.
  After his escape from the Nazis, Einstein made his home in the United 
States, becoming one of his adopted country's most revered citizens. In 
his memory, a deeply moving statue by the noted American artist Robert 
Berks was erected on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences 
here in Washington. Washington's Einstein Memorial inspires all who 
visit it with its gentle power and its evocation of Einstein's world-
altering ideas. For young and old, scientists and non-scientists alike, 
the statue has become a place of pilgrimage, drawing people back again 
and again for contemplation and inspiration.
  Now, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Dan Maydan, President of Applied 
Materials, Inc., of San Jose, California, a new casting of that statue 
is being dedicated in Jerusalem. Standing on the grounds of the Israel 
Academy of Sciences, the monument will serve not only as a tribute to 
Albert Einstein's contributions to the Jewish people and the State of 
Israel, but also to the bonds of scientific cooperation between the 
United States and Israel. This monument, and the display and visitor 
center that will accompany it, is certain to become a new historical 
and cultural landmark in Jerusalem. Like its counterpart in the United 
States, it will become a magnet for visitors and provide inspiration 
for future generations of scientists and statesmen.
  Albert Einstein was a man of truly universal vision. ``All religions, 
arts, and sciences,'' he said, ``are branches of the same tree. All 
these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it 
from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual 
towards freedom.'' The Einstein Monument and Science Garden will serve 
as an eloquent testament to Einstein's scientific genius. Equally 
important in this dawning era of peace between Israel and its 
neighbors, it will commemorate Einstein's hatred of war and the vision 
of world peace that he so passionately espoused.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to please join me in celebrating this historic 
event as well as recognizing the efforts of Dr. Dan Maydan to bring 
this to fruition.

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