[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]




                              {time}  1900
 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

[[Page H1535]]

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.

                              {time}  1915

  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.

[[Page H1536]]

  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.

                          ____________________