[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE THOMAS JEFFERSON NATIONAL ACCELERATION FACILITY ON ITS 
                            25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2009

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Thomas 
Jefferson National Acceleration Facility in Newport News, VA, on the 
occasion of its 25th anniversary. Since its creation, the Jefferson Lab 
has welcomed scientists and researchers from across the globe to study 
the matter and forces which build and drive our universe.
  The Jefferson Lab is committed to educating the next generation of 
scientists by increasing the number of teachers who have strong 
backgrounds in math and science, and in doing so increase student 
motivation in the subjects of engineering and technology.
  Current Secretary of Energy and Nobel Prize winning physicist Dr. 
Steven Chu joined the lab in celebrating this momentous occasion. On 
Tuesday, September 29, Secretary Chu visited with the lab's scientists, 
and discussed the future of atomic research.
  Recently, the Jefferson Lab began an expansion of its accelerated 
electron beam, and I was glad to attend the groundbreaking of this 
project in April 2009. This project creates a collision of atoms so 
that scientists may study protons and neutrons at the smallest level. 
The work done at the Lab is known around the world as second-to-none, 
and this initiative, also known as the 12GeV Upgrade, will ensure the 
Lab's worldwide leadership position for the next twenty years.
  I continue to be impressed by the efforts of the men and women from 
the Jefferson Lab and their desire to lead the Nation and the world in 
research and innovation. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the Thomas Jefferson National Acceleration Facility on 
its 25th anniversary.

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