[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 161 (Tuesday, November 27, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8356-H8358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING JOSEPH HENRY FOR HIS ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND
ELECTRICITY
Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 157) recognizing and honoring
Joseph Henry for his significant and distinguished role in the
development and advancement of science and electricity.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 157
Whereas Joseph Henry was born December 17, 1797, in Albany,
New York, the son of William and Ann Henry;
Whereas Joseph Henry served as an apprentice to John Doty,
a watchmaker and jeweler, in preparation for attendance at
the Albany Academy;
Whereas from 1819 to 1822, Joseph Henry attended advanced
classes at the Albany Academy and, in the spring of 1826, was
elected to the professorship of Mathematics and Natural
Philosophy in the Albany Academy;
Whereas Joseph Henry revolutionized scientific education by
using experiment-based teaching methods at the Albany
Academy, and in 1829 was awarded an honorary Masters degree
by Union College, despite having no formal college education;
Whereas Joseph Henry conducted many experiments with
electromagnets, which led to his successful design and
construction of an electromagnet capable of lifting 750
pounds;
Whereas Joseph Henry continued to improve upon the
development of the electromagnet, building an electromagnet
for Yale University in 1831 that was capable of lifting 2,300
pounds, and another electromagnet, known as ``Big Ben'', that
was capable of lifting 3,500 pounds, which was, at the time
that it was built in 1833, the most powerful electromagnet
ever built;
Whereas in January 1831, Joseph Henry helped lay the
groundwork for the development of the electromagnetic
telegraph by distinguishing between quantity and intensity
magnets and by publishing those findings in the American
Journal of Science;
Whereas the modern practical unit of induction is commonly
referred to as the ``Henry'' in honor of Joseph Henry's
research and discoveries regarding self-induction;
Whereas Joseph Henry, while conducting research at the
Albany Academy, invented an electromagnetic motor made of a
horizontally poised bar electromagnet that would rock back
and forth as the current through it was automatically
reversed;
Whereas Joseph Henry, while serving as Professor of Natural
Philosophy in the College of New Jersey at Princeton
(currently known as ``Princeton University''), conducted
experiments from 1838 to 1842 which laid the theoretical
groundwork for modern step-up and step-down transformers;
Whereas, on December 14, 1846, Joseph Henry was selected as
the first Secretary and Director of the Smithsonian
Institution;
Whereas, in his first report to the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution, Joseph Henry proclaimed that the
purpose of the Smithsonian Institution, the increase and
diffusion of knowledge among men, would be best achieved by
supporting original research and providing for the wide
distribution of the most recent findings in the various
fields of natural sciences;
Whereas in 1850 Joseph Henry, as Secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution, established the system of receiving
weather reports by telegraph and utilizing such reports to
predict weather conditions and issue storm warnings;
Whereas in 1869 Congress established a national weather
bureau upon the recommendation of Joseph Henry;
Whereas Joseph Henry was appointed as a member of the Light
House Board in 1852, and served as its president from 1871
until his death in 1878;
Whereas Joseph Henry was an original member of the National
Academy of Sciences, its vice-president in 1866, and its
president from 1868 until his death in 1878;
Whereas Joseph Henry died in the District of Columbia on
May 13, 1878;
Whereas a memorial service was held in honor of Joseph
Henry on January 16, 1879, in the Hall of the House of
Representatives, and was attended by the President, Vice
President, members of the President's Cabinet, Justices of
the Supreme Court, Members of Congress, and members of the
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution; and
Whereas the memory of Joseph Henry was honored at the
opening of the Library of Congress in 1890 by including a
statue of Joseph Henry among the 16 bronze portrait statues
on display which represent human development and
civilization: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress recognizes and honors Joseph Henry
for his significant and distinguished role in the development
and advancement of science and electricity.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
General Leave
Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the concurrent resolution
now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Maryland?
There was no objection.
Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume. I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 157. I
commend my
[[Page H8357]]
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), for
introducing this resolution and for working so hard to bring it to the
floor.
This resolution honors Joseph Henry for his significant and
distinguished role in the development and advancement of science and
electricity. Joseph Henry, considered by many the foremost American
scientist of the 19th century, was born on December 17, 1797. Although
he was largely self-educated, Henry studied at the Albany, New York,
academy from 1819 to 1822. Henry began teaching at the academy in
Albany in 1826 where he remained until 1832 when he accepted a position
at the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University.
His experimental work in chemistry, electricity, and magnetism
reflected only a small portion of his broad scientific interest. Henry
is known primarily for his discovery of electromagnetic induction and
self-induction. He is also credited with the invention of the electric
motor.
In 1846, Henry became the first secretary of the newly organized
Smithsonian Institution where he established a continuing tradition of
research. Under his leadership, weather reporting stations were
connected by telegraph in the United States. These weather reporting
stations were organized and maintained by the U.S. Army Signal Corps.
This organization would become, in 1891, the U.S. Weather Bureau, which
is now the U.S. Weather Service. Henry also directed the resources of
the Smithsonian Institution to encourage research in the areas of
astronomy, botany, and Native American anthropology.
In the spring of 1863, Mr. Henry became one of the founding members
of the National Academy of Science. He served as academy president
beginning in 1867 and served both as the National Academy of Science
president and secretary of the Smithsonian Institution until his death
in 1878. In 1893 his name was given to the standard electrical unit of
inductive resistance, the henry. When the statue of Joseph Henry was
placed in front of the Smithsonian Castle in 1883, it was hailed as a
symbol of rising American science, a rise that continues to this day
and will continue well into the future.
Madam Speaker, again I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr.
McNulty) for introducing this resolution. I urge my colleagues to
support it.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume. I rise, of course, in strong support of this resolution that
recognizes and honors Joseph Henry for his significant and
distinguished role in the development and advancement of science and
electricity in another century and in another day and time. I think it
is great that my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), has
pursued this and to bring up again today the efforts of those of the
past. He has been a dogged advocate for it. He is the reason we are
here today. I surely do appreciate that. The gentlewoman from Maryland
has given us some of the background on Joseph Henry. I am sure the
gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty) and the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Holt) will go a little bit further for us a little later.
I just wanted to emphasize that Joseph Henry was known for being a
great educator and an advocate of basic research. Those are words we
hear a lot still today. As the first secretary of the Smithsonian, he
did an excellent job of ensuring that the Smithsonian supported both of
these areas and both of these thrusts.
Joseph Henry was a very special man. It is rare for the Federal
Government to shut down for the funeral of a citizen. I have read that
not only did the government close in the case of Henry's death but also
shut down 5 years later for the unveiling of his statue which currently
sits on the mall.
According to Marc Rothenberg, editor of the Joseph Henry Papers
Project, such was the reputation of Mr. Henry that one Secretary of the
Interior had assured Henry that if a request was backed by him, that
was sufficient. I guess most Members of Congress would kill for that
kind of deal and that kind of recognition.
{time} 1515
But it is my understanding that a group of school children in New
York are very interested in this legislation, and I look forward to
hearing more about it and about their involvement in it from the
gentleman from New York.
Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from New York (Mr. McNulty), who represents the district that Mr. Henry
came from and is the author of this bill.
Mr. McNULTY. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Texas for
yielding me this time.
Madam Speaker, this afternoon we honor the ``Father of American
Science,'' Joseph Henry, a true pioneer in the field of electricity and
electromagnetics, the man responsible for laying the foundation for
government-sponsored scientific research in this country, and a native,
I am proud to say, of the capital region of the State of New York.
Joseph Henry was born in Albany, New York, in 1797. He attended local
schools and quickly distinguished himself as a superior student with a
curious mind. Despite having no formal college education, Mr. Henry
earned an honorary master's degree from Union College in Schenectady,
New York, and, in 1826, a professorship in mathematics and natural
philosophy at the Albany Academy.
It was in this position that Mr. Henry found his interest and his
gift and promptly revolutionized the field of electromagnetics. The
most powerful electromagnet at the time sustained a weight of just a
few pounds. After just 7 years of research and experimentation, Henry
devised Big Ben, at that time the most powerful electromagnet ever
built, sustaining 3,500 pounds.
Henry invented the first electromagnetic motor. His research is
credited for laying the foundation for the development of the
electromagnetic telegraph and the modern day transformer; and, in fact,
the practical unit of inductance, the generation of force within a
circuit, is called, quite simply, the Henry.
He distinguished himself not just as a preeminent scientific
investigator but also as a man possessing good judgment, leadership
ability and superior character. He reluctantly surrendered his pursuits
in pure science to answer what he believed to be a call of duty.
In December of 1846, Mr. Henry was selected as the first Secretary
and Director of the Smithsonian Institution. He proclaimed that the
purpose of the Smithsonian Institution, the increase and diffusion of
knowledge among men, was best achieved by supporting original research
and providing for the wide distribution of the most recent findings in
the various natural sciences. We all know that this is precisely the
mission and the accomplishment of the Smithsonian Institution as we
know it today.
In his later years, Mr. Henry continued to achieve and lead. At his
recommendation, Congress established the National Weather Bureau in
1869. He served as a member of the Light House Board for 26 years, the
final seven as its chairman; and he was named an original member of the
National Academy of Sciences and served as its president for the last
10 years of his life.
Joseph Henry died here in Washington in May of 1878. On January 16,
1879, a memorial service was held in his honor in the Hall of the House
of Representatives. It was attended by the President, the Vice
President, members of the Cabinet, Justices of the Supreme Court and
Members of Congress, a rare and very well-deserved honor.
At the opening of the Library of Congress in 1890, Mr. Henry was
featured among the 16 bronze portrait statues chosen to represent the
whole of human development and civilization.
It is my hope that in recognizing Joseph Henry's numerous
accomplishments and his distinguished role in the history of our
Nation, we will encourage today's young people to pursue careers in
science and technology.
Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to join with me in supporting the
passage of House Concurrent Resolution 157 honoring the Father of
American Science, Joseph Henry, a native, I am proud to say, of my
Congressional District.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume
to
[[Page H8358]]
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), a professor at Princeton
where Joseph Henry taught. As a physicist I would have trouble getting
in Princeton, much less getting out, or all the more of teaching there,
but the gentleman has the distinction of probably being one of the few
Members in Congress that fully understands the work of Mr. Henry and
his scientific research.
Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the ranking member of the
Committee on Science, for yielding me time, and I also thank my friend
from New York for carrying this forward.
As a representative of Central New Jersey, including Princeton
University, and as a physicist, I could not let this opportunity go by
to speak of one of the great Americans. New York likes to claim Joseph
Henry. Washington, D.C., likes to claim Joseph Henry. In New Jersey, we
really have a soft spot for someone who did much of his scientific
research at what was then called the College of New Jersey, Princeton
University.
Outside of the Princeton Physics Building there are really two
statues now; on one side, Joseph Henry; on the other side, Benjamin
Franklin.
Joseph Henry is a remarkable American story, a self-made scientist, a
country boy who made good. He was self-taught. When he was appointed to
a professorship at Princeton, he asked whether they knew that he had
had no formal education. But they were happy to have him because of his
careful mind, and, most important, his careful experimental work. That
is what I want to say a word about.
He is known for his work with induction. On one side of the Atlantic,
Michael Faraday was doing work; on this side of the Atlantic, it was
Joseph Henry. Now, induction may sound like an academic fine point of
narrow interest, but, in fact, every motor, every transformer, every
telephone, every TV broadcast, in fact, all of modern electronics is
built on this work on induction.
Joseph Henry was the leading American proponent of experimental
science. He not only developed the principle on which Morse developed
the telegraph; he actually had a wire strung from the basement of
Nassau Hall to his home where he could signal by telegraphy to his wife
and family, I suppose, when he would be coming home for dinner.
He also in inventing electromagnets improvised and at one point
realized he needed to insulate the wires so he could have multiple
windings around the electromagnet, and he unraveled one of his wife's
silk garments so he could braid silk around the wire to provide
insulation and make stronger, far stronger, electromagnets than anyone
in the world had ever done.
But always he was looking at the use of science for the national
service, for the national good. He came to national attention and to
the attention of Congress when in 1844 he was appointed to a commission
to investigate an explosion of a gun on the new USS Princeton on the
Potomac River. This was, I guess, the Challenger accident of the day,
because a gun exploded and the Secretaries of State and Navy and
several Members of Congress were killed.
Henry's careful investigation of the cause of that and his efforts to
prevent anything like that explosion from ever occurring again brought
him to the attention of Congress. So when the word went out to find a
director for this new, well-endowed institution where Joseph Smithson
had sent a shipload of money to form an institution for the increase
and diffusion of knowledge, they looked for the best person in America
to head it, and Congress hit on Joseph Henry.
Madam Speaker, the reason that we want to recognize Joseph Henry is
because of what he did not just in his laboratory but to apply science
to the public good in this investigation of the explosion, but then in
the creation of the National Academy of Sciences, which went on and has
continued to this day to use science in the national interest, and for
what he did in empirical science.
With all the talk that we have nowadays of the need for science
education in the schools, it is not so much that students can do
calculations with Henrys and Farads and units of force and voltage and
so forth but, rather, so that they learn the idea of empirical science,
a way of thinking that is built on evidence, where evidence rules.
Joseph Henry was the leading American in developing this kind of
empirical thinking that serves us so well today. That is why I commend
the students in the district of the gentleman from New York (Mr.
McNulty) for bringing Joseph Henry to the attention of Americans today,
and I am delighted to join my friend in elevating the name of Joseph
Henry through this legislation.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I ask for support of this resolution. I think that it
is important that young people look to the work that has been done by
this pioneer in electromagnetism in the mid-19th century.
Again, I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty) for
recognizing Joseph Henry, and I ask the body to agree to House
Concurrent Resolution 157.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
157.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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