[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 97 (Monday, July 18, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8427-S8428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 200--HONORING THE LIFE OF NOBEL LAUREATE JACK ST. 
 CLAIR KILBY, INVENTOR OF THE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND INNOVATIVE LEADER 
                         IN THE INFORMATION AGE

  Mr. CORNYN submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 200

       Whereas in July 1958, Mr. Kilby, as a young engineer, 
     resolved a long-standing engineering problem, known as the 
     ``tyranny of numbers'', which prevented engineers from simply 
     and reliably interconnecting electronic components to form 
     circuits by developing the first working integrated circuit;
       Whereas on September 12, 1958, Mr. Kilby demonstrated the 
     first working integrated circuit for his colleagues at Texas 
     Instruments, Inc. in Dallas, Texas;
       Whereas the resulting integrated circuit contributed to 
     national defense by facilitating the development of the 
     Minuteman Missile and other programs;
       Whereas the integrated circuit was central to creating the 
     modern computer and communications industries;
       Whereas the creation of the integrated circuit has 
     benefitted the people of Texas by spurring the economy of the 
     State with strong semiconductor and communications sectors 
     and has enabled the integrated circuit industry to enjoy 
     phenomenal growth from $29,000,000,000 annually in 1961 to 
     nearly $1,150,000,000,000 in 2005;
       Whereas on October 10, 2000, 42 years after demonstrating 
     the first integrated circuit, Mr. Kilby shared the 2000 Nobel 
     Prize in Physics for his part in the invention of the 
     integrated circuit;
       Whereas the integrated circuit, known today as the 
     microchip, was the first chip of its kind, drove the 
     technological growth of the Information Age, permitted both 
     the rapid evolution and the miniaturization of technological 
     products, and provided a foundation for important advances in 
     science and medicine that are saving and enriching lives 
     around the world;
       Whereas Mr. Kilby further advanced technological progress 
     by inventing more than 60 additional patented items, 
     including the hand-held calculator and the thermal printer;
       Whereas Mr. Kilby retired from Texas Instruments, Inc. 
     after 25 years of dedicated service but maintained his 
     presence at the company as a source of inspiration to 
     generations of young engineers until his death on June 20, 
     2005;
       Whereas Mr. Kilby committed himself to education, serving 
     as a Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering at 
     Texas A&M University from 1978 to 1984, sharing with students 
     the breadth of his knowledge and expertise;
       Whereas Mr. Kilby is 1 of only 13 individuals to receive 
     both the National Medal of Science and National Medal of 
     Technology, the most prestigious awards of the Federal 
     Government for technical achievement;
       Whereas the National Academy of Engineering, an independent 
     nonprofit institution that advises the Federal Government on

[[Page S8428]]

     engineering and technology issues, awarded Mr. Kilby the 1989 
     Charles Stark Draper Prize, 1 of the preeminent awards for 
     engineering achievement in the world;
       Whereas the Inamori Foundation, a charitable institution in 
     Japan dedicated to promoting international understanding by 
     honoring individuals who have contributed to scientific 
     progress, culture, and human betterment, bestowed upon Mr. 
     Kilby the 1993 Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology to 
     recognize his contributions to humanity and society;
       Whereas Mr. Kilby inspired the creation of the awards named 
     after him, the Kilby International Awards, which honor unsung 
     heroes and heroines who make significant contributions to 
     society through science, technology, innovation, invention, 
     and education;
       Whereas Mr. Kilby was inducted into the National Inventors 
     Hall of Fame, established in 1973 by the Patent and Trademark 
     Office of the Department of Commerce and the National Council 
     of Intellectual Property Associations, alongside other great 
     inventors in United States history;
       Whereas Mr. Kilby, a member of the ``Greatest Generation'', 
     served the United States in World War II as a member of the 
     United States Army;
       Whereas Mr. Kilby will be remembered not only as a great 
     technological innovator, but also as a loving husband, 
     dedicated father, and devoted grandfather; and
       Whereas Mr. Kilby's invention of the integrated circuit 
     revolutionized nearly all aspects of modern life, has made 
     technology more affordable and more accessible to the world, 
     and will continue to exert tremendous influence on the 
     development of technology in the 21st century: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the 
     announcement of the death of Nobel Laureate Jack St. Clair 
     Kilby;
       (2) commends Mr. Kilby for his pioneering work in the 
     fields of engineering and electronics, which laid the 
     foundation for the technological advances of the 20th and 
     21st centuries; and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit 1 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to Mr. Kilby's family.

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