[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 58 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF MOORE'S LAW

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                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2005

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 40th 
anniversary of Moore's Law, a prediction by Intel co-founder Gordon 
Moore about integrated circuits that has driven the pace of innovation, 
helped make America the world's technological leader, as well as 
helping to launch what is now the Silicon Valley.
  In April of 1965, Gordon Moore, then an engineer with Fairchild 
Semiconductor, predicted that computer chips would double in power 
approximately every 18 months while staying at the same cost. Forty 
years later, Moore's Law has maintained its pace. Today we enjoy 
technological innovation that even the most enterprising minds could 
not have imagined four decades ago: Computers once the size of a 
refrigerator now fit on our laps or in the palm of our hands, and a 
talking doll enjoyed by kids around the world packs four times as much 
processing power as an Apollo moon lander.
  Along with these extraordinary advances in processing power, the 
technological innovation driven by Moore's Law has led to advances in 
virtually every industry and almost every aspect of our lives. Doctors 
can access the Internet in the examining room or diagnose a patient 
remotely, while having access to the latest updates on chemical 
reactions, alternatives, and availability of prescriptions. On-the-go 
parents can carry games and other digital entertainment for their young 
children on the road while simultaneously checking in on their 
teenagers whereabouts and well-being.
  Most importantly, the drive toward maintaining Moore's law has kept 
the U.S. technology industry at the forefront of innovation, growing 
quality, high-paying jobs and contributing to our Nation's economic 
stability. The premise of Moore's Law dictates that computing power 
improves essentially for free, bringing increases in productivity 
unprecedented since the Industrial Revolution and acting as a powerful 
deflationary force in the world's macro-economy. As a result, consumers 
get more for less. Businesses can continually improve their operations, 
service and productivity at a cost advantage.
  In Silicon Valley, which I'm proud to represent, we're proud to be a 
major driver in the technology industry to keep pace with Moore's Law. 
The small and large businesses which are part of our local technology 
industry have led to economic growth and development. Intel 
Corporation, leading the charge, has become a major local contributor 
to our economy and is an example of the impact that U.S. technological 
leadership has at a regional, national, and international level.
  On April 19, 1965, the day which Gordon Moore's article first 
appeared, he certainly could not have predicted the powerful and 
dramatic influence his postulation would have on our world.
  Beyond sharing a wonderful prediction, Gordon Moore has distinguished 
himself as a major philanthropist, donating $7 billion to various 
environmental, scientific and San Francisco Bay Area causes.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Gordon Moore 
for his vision in establishing Moore's Law, for his unique leadership, 
his integrity, and his incomparable contributions to make our nation 
great. How proud I am to be Gordon Moore's Representative in Congress. 
He has our collective gratitude for his contributions to our Nation.

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