[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING LEGO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2008

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, for the past 50 years LEGO has 
transformed childhood play and provided invaluable academic and 
economic contributions to local communities around the globe. On 
January 29, 2008, LEGO celebrated its 50th anniversary. I rise today to 
recognize 50 years of LEGO innovation and contributions.
  LEGO USA headquarters is located in my district in Enfield, 
Connecticut. Over the past three decades since headquarters moved from 
Brookfield to Enfield, Connecticut in 1975, the company has made 
substantial contributions to the local community. Today it remains the 
town's largest employer. Although the Enfield offices have struggled in 
recent years in light of increasing globalization pressures, I remain 
hopeful that it will continue to innovate and thrive as part of 
Connecticut's economy. Education and family programs, which have been 
highlights of the corporation in the past, will continue to have 
positive lasting impacts on the community in the future.
  The LEGO Creative Child Care Center KinderCare@Work program, which 
accommodates children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age, has received 
national accolades for quality childhood development services. LEGO's 
KinderCare@Work program incorporates an engaging, thought-provoking 
curriculum into a healthy and safe environment for children from the 
local community. Quality early education programs, like LEGO's 
KinderCare@Work, are essential for promoting academic and professional 
success in latter years and should be a model for other private and 
public early education programs.
  Programs geared towards middle and high school students, such as the 
FIRST LEGO League (FLL), also provide impetus for academic success and 
an environmentally and socially conscientious society. FLL programs 
encourage students to look at problems currently affecting global 
communities from a pragmatic and analytical perspective. LEGO USA has 
been a regular host of FLL tournaments. In 2007, students from Enfield 
and all of Connecticut joined students from around the globe in 
addressing a fundamental question that continues to be the focus of 
leading environmentalists, engineers, scientists, and politicians: the 
economic, environmental, and social impact that our energy consumption 
choices have on our global community.
  From, simple yellow and red blocks to black knights and ninjas, the 
iconic toy has remained a classic, thought-provoking source of play for 
children around the world. For providing positive academic and economic 
development in communities around our globe and inspiring generations 
of artists, architects, and engineers, I ask my colleagues to join with 
me and my constituents in honoring LEGO's 50th anniversary.

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