[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING DR. FREDERICK SEITZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN E. PETERSON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2001

  Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a number of 
my colleagues in the House and myself, I rise today in tribute to the 
person and life of an eminent American scientist, Dr. Frederick Seitz, 
and in celebration of his ninetieth birthday. We also honor Dr. Seitz 
for his many contributions to science and society.
  Born July 4, 1911, physicist Frederick Seitz is still a leader in 
defending America's scientific integrity. He graduated from Stanford 
University and in 1934 earned his PhD at Princeton. Besides teaching 
and conducting research at several universities and General Electric 
Corporation, he served as President of the National Academy of Sciences 
and as President of Rockefeller University. He authored seven, 
including two premier textbooks.
  During World War II, he served as advisor for the War Department and 
as member of the National Defense Research Committee. He has advised 
NATO as well as several Federal agencies, including the departments of 
State and Defense, NASA, the Navy and Air Force, the Office of 
Technology Assessment, the Selective Service System and the 
Smithsonian. Additionally, Dr. Seitz has served on the Boards, often as 
chairman or director, of numerous corporations and universities. He 
holds 31 honorary doctorate degrees and 16 major international awards.
  Perhaps Dr. Seitz is most recognized by many today as a pioneer in 
solid state physics and the physics of metals--a cornerstone in the 
basic science leading to the modern silcon chip revolution that has 
touched and changed the lives of millions for the better.
  Mr. Speaker, the British philosopher and mathematician, Bertrant 
Russell wrote: ``In science men have discovered an activity of the very 
highest value in which they are no longer, as in art, dependent for 
progress upon the appearance of continually greater genius, for in 
science the successors stand upon the shoulders of their predecessors; 
where one man of supreme genius has invented a method, a thousand 
lesser men can apply it.'' It is our considered opinion that Mr. 
Russell had in mind men like Dr. Frederick Seitz. However, Dr. Seitz is 
not only a man of supreme genius, but also one of superior honor and 
goodness.
  Congratulations, Dr. Seitz, on your 90th birthday, and a greatful 
nation and its people say, ``Thank you.''

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