[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 42 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1533-H1536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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HONORING RECIPIENTS OF NOBEL PRIZES IN PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY FOR 2005
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 541) honoring Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L. Hall,
and Theodor W. Hansch for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for
2005, and Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock
for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2005, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 541
Whereas on October 10, 2005, the Royal Swedish Academy of
Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2005 to Drs.
Roy J. Glauber, John L. Hall, and Theodor W. Hansch for their
pioneering discoveries in the field of optics;
Whereas their contributions to the quantum theory of
optical coherence and development of laser-based precision
spectroscopy, including the optical frequency comb technique,
has led to improvements in the accuracy of precision
instruments such as GPS locators, atomic clocks, and
navigation systems;
Whereas John L. Hall recently retired from a long career
with the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST), Quantum Physics Division, and was one of the founding
fellows of the JILA, a joint Federal lab/university
cooperative effort supporting research and post-graduate
training;
Whereas the NIST, founded in 1901, and its laboratories and
collaborations with academia have contributed to the
achievements of present and past Nobel Prize winners by
supporting research that strengthens the global economic
competitiveness of the United States through the development
of technologies, measurement methods, and standards;
Whereas John L. Hall is one of three NIST researchers to
have received a Nobel Prize;
Whereas on October 10, 2005, the Royal Swedish Academy of
Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2005 to
Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock
for their pioneering discoveries in the field of organic
chemistry;
Whereas their research on metathesis reactions and the
development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis has
resulted in a major advance for ``green chemistry'' and the
development of pharmaceuticals that can be made through
methods that are more efficient and generate fewer hazardous
wastes: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes and honors Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L.
Hall, and Theodor W. Hansch;
(2) recognizes and honors Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H.
Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock; and
(3) acknowledges the importance of National Institute of
Standards and Technology research and its contributions to
United States industry, academia, and government.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren of California).
Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and the
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on H. Res. 541, the resolution now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am very pleased that we are considering this resolution honoring
the winners of the 2005 Nobel Prizes in chemistry and physics. This is
especially a pleasurable experience for me because I
[[Page H1534]]
know two of them personally and have worked with one of them rather
closely for a period of over a year.
Our Nation has a long, proud history of pushing forward the
boundaries of human knowledge, and few awards bestow more recognition
and honor on those who devote their lives to this quest than does the
Nobel Prize. As a fellow scientist, I offer to each of the laureates my
congratulations and heartfelt appreciation for your outstanding
contributions to your fields.
I am particularly honored to offer congratulations to Dr. John Hall
for his commendable contributions to the field of laser-based precision
spectroscopy. His careful and dedicated work has resulted, among other
things, in improved accuracy in vital navigation systems such as the
GPS. John's long and noteworthy career includes a founding role as a
fellow of JILA, formerly known as the Joint Institute of Laboratory
Astrophysics, which is a joint research institute of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado in
Boulder.
It was at that institution where I worked with him doing research in
atomic physics, a little nuclear physics and also in science education.
I am proud to say that Dr. Hall is a wonderful scientist, and I was
delighted to work with him.
I am most pleased as the chairman of the Science Committee
Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards, where I oversee
NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to offer John
congratulations and wishes for many more years of exciting discovery.
I would also like to point out that this is the third Nobel Prize
awarded to scientists at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, which is basically a standard-setting organization, which
includes a lot of research on standards; but in spite of the
restriction on the research, three individuals from that outstanding
organization have now been awarded Nobel Prizes.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume,
and I wish to begin by thanking Dr. Ehlers for his distinguished
leadership on the committee, on the subcommittee, and it has been a
privilege to serve with him. It is nice to have a fellow scientist on
the Science Committee who can speak so eloquently to these matters and
actually understand the kind of research that these Nobel Prize winners
have conducted.
Mr. Speaker, I want to rise in strong support of H. Res. 541, a
resolution I introduced along with a number of my colleagues to honor
the 2005 Nobel Laureates in the fields of physics and chemistry, as
well as to acknowledge the importance of National Institute of
Standards and Technology, its research and its contributions to the
United States industry and the academic world and government.
On October 10, 2005, two of America's finest scientists, Richard H.
Grubbs and Richard R. Schrock, along with Yves Chauvin of France,
shared in the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
The basic research of these scientists was recognized by the Royal
Swedish Academy of Sciences as ``a great step forward for `green
chemistry,' reducing potentially hazardous waste through smarter
production.''
Their research on metathesis reactions and the development of the
metathesis model in organic synthesis has served as an important tool
in the creation of new pharmaceuticals, including drugs that will help
fight many of the world's major diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's
and AIDS. They also are used to develop herbicides and new polymers and
fuels.
Another scientific prize was also conferred on October 10, 2005.
Again, two American scientists, this time Roy J. Glauber and John L.
Hall, along with Theodor W. Hansch of Germany, shared the Nobel Prize
in physics.
Their pioneering research in the fields of optics and contributions
to the quantum theory of optical coherence and development of laser-
based precision spectroscopy, including the optical frequency comb
technique, has led to improvements in the accuracy of precision
instruments such as GPS locators, atomic clocks, and navigation
systems.
It is true this year, as in preceding years, that research conducted
at such well-respected universities such as MIT, Harvard, and Caltech
has produced Nobel Prize-worthy research. However, what is rarely
acknowledged is the work of Federal labs and the additional Federal
investment that supports and produces such prize-worthy results from
such outstanding scientists.
Such is the case with the work of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, or NIST. Their collaboration with the University of
Colorado at Boulder resulted in the third Nobel Prize awarded to an
NIST scientist, John Hall, a scientist emeritus from the NIST Quantum
Physics Division.
Interestingly enough, NIST was founded in 1901, around the same time
as the Nobel Prize Foundation in 1900. Since that time, both
institutions have served a similar purpose in supporting research that
produces, in the words of Dr. Alfred Nobel, ``the greatest benefit to
mankind.''
NIST, with its laboratories and collaborations with academia, has
contributed to the achievements of present and past Nobel Prize winners
by supporting research that strengthens the global economic
competitiveness of the United States through the development of
technologies, measurement methods, and standards.
Today, I am pleased to have the opportunity to honor the work of
these scientists representing academia and research labs from across
the globe.
It is my hope that the passage of this bill and continued support for
the Nobel Prizes in the fields of chemistry and physics will inspire a
new generation of students to eagerly pursue careers in math and
science.
Additionally, I believe we must continue our investment in our
research infrastructure if we hope to take advantage of the innovative
potential emerging from our basic research laboratories.
I am happy that the Optical Society of America, the American Chemical
Society and other organizations have supported this bill. These
organizations provide a vital service in supporting peer collaboration
and career development important for scientific advances and
innovation.
I would like to particularly thank our chairman, Chairman Boehlert,
and Ranking Member Gordon for their support and assistance on this
bill, as well as my colleagues Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Ehlers, Mr.
Holt and Mr. Wu for their cosponsorship.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H. Res. 541 and urge my colleagues to
join me in supporting and honoring the 2005 Nobel Laureates.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This resolution recognizes and honors Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L.
Hall and Theodor W. Hansch for being awarded the Nobel Prize in physics
for 2005, and Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs and Richard R.
Schrock for being awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for 2005.
As I mentioned earlier, John Hall is a personal friend of mine, and I
have worked with him. Theodor Hansch was also a colleague of mine for
some time many years ago, even though we did not work together, and we
were not addressing the same issue.
Additionally, the resolution acknowledges the importance of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology research and its
contributions to U.S. industry, academia and government.
On October 10, 2005, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded
the Nobel Prize in physics for 2005 to Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L.
Hall and Theodor W. Hansch for their pioneering discoveries in the
field of optics. Their contributions to the quantum theory of optical
coherence and development of laser-based precision spectroscopy,
including the optical frequency comb technique, has led to improvements
in the accuracy of precision instruments such as GPS locators, atomic
clocks, and navigation systems.
I would love to spend another 10, 15 minutes explaining exactly what
that means, but I risk boring you, Mr. Speaker, and the rest of the
audience, but let me say it is a fascinating field of research. It has
led to great improvements, and people who ask me
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how can this possibly be of value should simply look at their TV set
and remind themselves of years ago when they turned on the TV set and
spent 5 minutes adjusting the hue and the color to get everything
correct. The type of work done by these individuals created such
accurate time standards that everything went automatically now on their
TV set.
That was one minor trivial example of all the benefits that arise
from basic research.
Continuing, John L. Hall recently retired from a long career with the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, better known as NIST,
in the Quantum Physics Division, and was one of the founding fellows of
JILA, a joint Federal lab/university cooperative effort supporting
research and post-graduate training.
NIST was founded in 1901, and its laboratories and collaborations
with academia have contributed to the achievement of present and past
Nobel Prize winners by supporting research that strengthens the global
economic competitiveness of the United States through the development
of technologies, measurement methods and standards. Indeed, NIST used
to be known as the National Bureau of Standards and received its more
modern name somewhat recently.
John L. Hall is one of three NIST researchers that have received the
Nobel Prize.
On October 10, 2005, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded
the Nobel Prize in chemistry for 2005 to Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H.
Grubbs and Richard R. Schrock for their pioneering discoveries in the
field of organic chemistry. Their research on metathesis reactions and
the development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis has
resulted in a major advance for ``green chemistry'' and the development
of pharmaceuticals that can be made through methods that are more
efficient and generate less hazardous waste.
This is an outstanding advancement, and we must concentrate greater
efforts on green chemistry, in other words, chemistry that provides
results in fewer residuals that endanger the environment. The Science
Committee, I might add, has developed a new bill on this topic, and I
am very eager to see that passed into law.
This resolution recognizes and honors Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L.
Hall, and Theodor W. Hansch, Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs and Richard
R. Schrock, and acknowledges the importance of National Institute of
Standards and Technology research and its contributions to United
States industry, academia and government.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Chair and the ranking
member for this opportunity to speak and thank them for bringing this
resolution forward.
I think it is important that this Congress take a stand and make
noteworthy the achievements of many men and women of science who in
this case have been accorded the highest award of a Nobel Prize in
physics and in chemistry. It is manifestly clear that this country
needs to put forth an emphasis on scientific achievement.
It is this emphasis on scientific achievement which characterized the
Kennedy administration, which gave America vision to shoot for the
stars, and it is an emphasis on scientific achievement which will cause
more Nobel Prize winners in future to come forward from the United
States, not only in physics and chemistry but in economics and
literature.
We need to emphasize our quest for knowledge, and in this resolution
we are helping to confirm our belief that the quest for knowledge needs
to be recognized nationally.
I want to add one more note. Recently the Nobel Prize winner for
economics and peace a few years ago, Joseph Stiglitz, made an
assessment of what the economic cost would be of the United States'
continued presence in Iraq. I think that we need to look at what our
Nobel Prize winners tell us about the world in which we live.
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They have achieved a level of excellence which can be communicated to
Members of Congress and our constituents. They have achieved the level
of credibility which we should give credence to, which we are doing
this evening with this important resolution.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I would close my comments by sharing with Dr.
Ehlers the observation of how important this research is. Our Nation,
as a whole, just celebrated the men's and women's Final Four, and I am
sure many Americans could list the names of who hit the final jump shot
and who the star players were. That is fitting and appropriate. But on
a daily basis, our lives are affected far more by the basic research
conducted by the individuals we are honoring today, as Dr. Ehlers so
eloquently put it.
When the GPS system helps keep an aircraft on track, when radar works
more efficiently, when medical devices work more successfully, when
environmental applications are more efficient, all of that derives from
the kinds of basic research that we are acknowledging and recognizing
today. And while I think it is unrealistic to expect most Members of
this Chamber, or certainly the general public, to know the names or the
accomplishments of these individuals, it is absolutely fitting that
this body recognize these individuals, and I think especially because
some of them are Federal Government employees who well deserve our
recognition and our honor.
And so I join Chairman Ehlers in celebrating them, and I thank him
for his support on this and for his leadership in the committee.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I thank the gentleman from Washington for his eloquent comments. He
stated it extremely well. And I would like to point out that our basic
research programs in the United States have led to incredible
discoveries and developments, but also have made incredible
contributions to the economy of this Nation.
Just to pick one example, something that happened when I was a
graduate student, which is obviously many years ago, about roughly 50
years ago, the development of the laser by a good friend of mine,
Charlie Towns. And I did not work with Dr. Towns, but I knew of the
experiments, I knew what was going to emerge, I knew that he would
discover the laser. And even though I am a scientist, I am in the
field, I never envisioned the results of that.
We were all extremely excited at the development of the laser,
because it enabled us to do scientific experiments we had only dreamed
about doing before. What we didn't realize, or what I didn't realize,
is that we would have a world where lasers are ubiquitous; where you
would not think of putting in a ceiling tile without having a laser to
level the tiles and make it all look good; we would not think of
putting in sewer or water mains without lasers to help us align them so
that they are in the proper location.
Today, you can go into novelty stores and buy lasers for $15.
Children play with them, cat lovers use them to have cats chase the
little red dot around. They are ubiquitous. And out of that small
investment from the United States Government in that research, which I
would estimate was roughly $10 million or less, today we have a
multibillion dollar industry in the United States.
The problem this Nation faces is that that research is not being
supported by this Nation the way it was in the past and we are in
danger of losing our leadership because of that. I deeply, deeply
appreciate the leadership of President George Bush in announcing in his
State of the Union speech the American Competitiveness Initiative,
which will help restore our lead in research in this world. It will
help provide the education our children need so that they can be
leaders in the world.
I strongly urge this Congress to provide the funding that the
President has requested so that we can not only maintain, but increase,
our leadership in the world and maintain our economic competitiveness
and continue to be the giant in the world that we have been so that our
people will have jobs and we won't be shipping them abroad.
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Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
supporting H. Res. 541, legislation honoring the 2005 winners of the
Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry.
The Nobel Prize represents the pinnacle of achievement in any
academic area.
The 2005 Prize in Physics was awarded to three scientists in the
field of optics.
Dr. Roy Glauber was awarded half of the Prize for his theoretical
description of the behavior of light particles.
Drs. John Hall and Theodor Haensch share the other half of the
Physics Prize for their development of laser-based precision
spectroscopy.
The work has enabled the determination of the color of the light of
atoms and molecules with great precision.
The 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was shared by Drs. Yves Chauvin,
Richard Schrock and Robert Grubbs for their work in the area of
metathesis.
Metathesis is important to the chemical industry, mainly in the
development of medicines and of certain types of plastic materials.
The Nobel Laureates' work has enabled chemical synthesis to be
simpler, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the recipients of the Nobel Prizes in
Physics and Chemistry and urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 541.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 541 commends the great American
ingenuity and level of excellence represented by our National
Laboratories, particularly the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), whose work is so consistently stellar that it is
often taken for granted.
American John Hall, who is one of the three scientists sharing the
Nobel Prize for Physics, is the third NIST scientist to win a Nobel
Prize. He is sharing the Prize for Physics with American Roy J. Glauber
and German Theodor W. Haensch. Their studies reversed the earlier
belief that the quantum theory of the behavior of particles did not
describe the behavior of particles of light. These scientists, in fact,
have changed the modern understanding of the behavior of light. Their
discoveries could allow better GPS systems, better space navigation,
and even better digital animation.
The 2005 Nobel Prize for Chemistry was won by American Robert H.
Grubbs, from Southern California's California Institute of Technology,
American Richard R. Schrock, and Frenchman Yves Chauvin. They made
great breakthroughs in their work with olefin metathesis. This is a
chemical reaction describing the changing of bonds between atoms.
Their work has great commercial potential in areas like
pharmaceuticals, the biotechnology industry, and the foodstuff
industry. The great work that these scientists produce contributes to
our competitiveness and to our great standard of living.
I want to commend all of these outstanding scientists for their
contributions to physics and chemistry and to the Royal Swedish Academy
of Scientists for their recognition of their achievements, and to NIST
and its laboratories who have supported research that strengthens our
global competitiveness through the development of groundbreaking
technologies.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Westmoreland). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 541.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________