[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  ACT COMMEMORATING THE LITE: OR LIFETIME INNOVATIONS OF THOMAS EDISON

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                               speech of

                         HON. CANDICE S. MILLER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 1096, which commemorates the lifetime innovations of Thomas 
Edison.
  This legislation will ensure the preservation of Thomas Edison's 
laboratory in New Jersey. Edison set a tremendous example for all 
Americans to follow, and, through this legislation, Americans of future 
generations will be able to learn from the lessons he taught us.
  Before Thomas Edison opened his lab in New Jersey, he called Port 
Huron, Michigan, his hometown. That town has done a fine job in its own 
right to preserve the memory of Thomas Edison, and I am proud to 
represent it in the House.
  In 2004, Port Huron rededicated the Edison Rock as part of the 125th 
Anniversary of the invention of the light bulb. The event featured the 
actor Mickey Rooney who starred in the 1940 movie ``Young Tom Edison'', 
which chronicled Tom's formative years.
  I think the Edison Rock is a fitting tribute--not only because it is 
very big and very heavy--something like 62 tons--but because, like most 
rocks, it is very old.
  That's significant.
  In order to rank the importance of Thomas Edison's achievement of the 
first, practical light bulb you have to go back a long, long way--
  In fact, you have to go back to the very beginning--to the Bible and 
the Book of Genesis, where it says: ``And God said, let there be 
light--and there was light. ``
  Of course, God meant there was sunlight--and don't get me wrong--that 
was a great start.
  But the only problem with sunlight is that it lasts only when the sun 
is out.
  It wasn't until thousands of years later when Thomas Edison said,--
``Let there be light''--and finally we had light during the other half 
of the day.
  The significance of this invention can never be exaggerated.
  Electric light was the spark that ignited the Industrial Revolution 
and all the technological breakthroughs that followed.
  America's work ethic is also part of Edison's extraordinary legacy. 
Although Edison was undoubtedly a genius, he never thought of himself 
as one. In fact, he always claimed that his inventions were the product 
of hard work. ``Genius is one percent inspiration, 99 percent 
perspiration'' was one of his most famous quotes.
  Thomas Edison actually struggled for years and built more than 6,000 
prototypes before he came up with the successful design for the light 
bulb.
  He made us believe that through hard work, anything can be 
accomplished.
  Edison gave us many gifts--the light bulb--the phonograph--the motion 
picture camera--as well as hundreds of other inventions that have 
shaped our modem world.
  The phrase--``Good old American ingenuity'' describes the ``can-do'' 
spirit of our nation--our ability to take on any problem and come up 
with a solution.
  Edison was the personification of American opportunity. He didn't 
grow up as a member of the privileged class.
  He was just an average American, who through a lot of hard work and a 
little inspiration became one of the most famous and influential people 
in history.
  And so he gave us many gifts--the light bulb, the phonograph, the 
motion picture camera as well as hundreds of other inventions that have 
shaped our modern world.
  But possibly his greatest gift to us was his representation of the 
American spirit.
  For when we think of Thomas Edison, we believe that anything is 
possible.
  Edison's ability to take on the most difficult problems of mankind--
and come up with an invention that could make everyone's life better is 
a source of American pride.
  We believe that American know-how and American ingenuity are among 
the characteristics that make our nation great.
  That's why I'm confident in our nation.
  I'm confident in our ability to do whatever it takes to assure the 
safety of our nation and the success of liberty.
  And it's our nation that continues to bring the light of liberty to 
the world.
  And finally, we believe that you can grow up in Port Huron, 
Michigan--or thousands of other communities across America--and in 
everyone of them you have the opportunity to reach for greatness.

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