[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 9, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1180-H1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING WINNERS OF NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1069) congratulating Willard S. Boyle and
George E. Smith for being awarded the Nobel Prize in physics.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1069
Whereas breakthroughs in scientific research are the
building blocks of a productive, competitive, and healthy
society;
Whereas the Nobel Prize is a prestigious international
award administered annually by the Nobel Foundation in
Stockholm, Sweden, and has since 1901 recognized the world's
most outstanding achievements in physics;
Whereas, on December 10, 2009, in Stockholm, Sweden,
Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith from Bell Laboratories
in Murray Hill, New Jersey, were awarded the Nobel prize for
physics for their invention of an imaging semiconductor
circuit, the charge-coupled devise (CCD), in addition to
Charles K. Kao from Standard Telecommunication Laboratories
in Harlow, United Kingdom, and the Chinese University of Hong
Kong in Hong Kong, China, for his work concerning the
transmission of light in fibers for optical communication;
Whereas Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, is an
internationally renowned research organization founded in
1925 by the American Telephone & Telegraph company (AT&T);
Whereas a total of seven Nobel Prizes for physics have been
awarded for work completed at Bell Laboratories;
Whereas work at Bell Laboratories has led to the invention
or advancement of such groundbreaking technologies as the
transistor, photovoltaic cells, the laser, the UNIX operating
system, and the CCD sensor;
Whereas scientific leadership in the United States is made
possible by robust investments in scientific research
programs in both the public and private sectors;
Whereas continued support of science research programs is
indispensable to maintaining the Nation's position as the
global leader in technology and innovation; and
Whereas the accomplishments of these scientists are
significant achievements in the field of scientific research
and further promote the United States among the world leaders
in science: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith for
being awarded the Nobel Prize in physics; and
(2) recognizes Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New
Jersey, as a contributor to leadership in scientific research
and innovation in the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Baird) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.
General Leave
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H. Res. 1069, the resolution now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Washington?
There was no objection.
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am very pleased today to be honoring the two Nobel Prize-winning
physicists on their remarkable achievement. Willard S. Boyle and George
E. Smith, of Bell Labs, were recipients of the 2009 Nobel Prize in
physics, along with Dr. Charles K. Kao. Drs. Boyle and Smith won the
prize for their invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit, the
charge-coupled device, or CCD. If this sounds familiar, it may be
because it is the device that makes digital cameras work. The digital
camera is already ubiquitous in consumer usage, but people may not
realize the device also has been instrumental to scientific endeavors
as well. The field of astronomy was revolutionized by the integration
of these devices into telescopes to capture details of the cosmos in
even greater detail. CCDs have also greatly aided our ability to look
inward at the tiniest particles with their adaptation into microscopes.
Today, we also honor Bell Laboratories of Murray Hill, New Jersey.
Bell Labs is a renowned research organization whose name is synonymous
with innovation. In addition to CCDs, work at Bell Labs has led to the
development of the transistor, photovoltaic cells, the laser, and the
UNIX operating system. For all of these accomplishments, a total of
seven Nobel Prizes for physics have been awarded for the work done at
Bell Labs.
I want to thank the sponsor of this resolution, Mr. Lance of New
Jersey, for recognizing these great scientific achievements. It's
vitally important as we work to try and maintain America's
competitiveness in the global economy that we celebrate scientific
achievement and encourage young people to pursue careers in technical
fields. We are quick in this body to recognize sports accomplishments.
It is only fitting that we also recognize intellectual accomplishments
of this caliber, particularly when they have such a dramatic impact on
all of our lives. If we want as a society to do better in these areas
of endeavor, it only makes sense for Congress to recognize great
intellectual achievement when it happens; and these gentlemen are
certainly deserving of that recognition.
So, once again, I want to thank my colleagues, and I urge passage.
[[Page H1181]]
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today in support of House Resolution 1069, which honors and
congratulates Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith for receiving the
Nobel Prize in physics on December 10, 2009, for their invention of the
imaging semiconductor circuit, the charge-coupled device, or CCD. This
accomplishment, achieved by Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith while
working at Bell Laboratories, has greatly influenced the way human
beings view the world.
The invention of the charge-coupled device allows for the direct
capture of images electronically rather than on the basis of film. The
CCD has given the power of instantaneous imagery to people worldwide.
This image-capturing device is not only more efficient but also is more
accurate than conventional photography. It has allowed for the
development of high-resolution picture-making and has helped create the
ability to process and to develop photographs in a real-time setting.
Their design has gone on to be the core of every digital camera,
camcorder, and telescope in existence today. In addition, CCD is used
in various surgical cameras, as well as in cameras used by NASA. They
have enabled millions of people worldwide to capture images sharply and
effectively.
It's with great appreciation that we recognize these men today for
their accomplishments and for their achievement in winning the 2009
Nobel Prize in physics. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support
of this resolution.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. Lance).
Mr. LANCE. I thank the gentleman from Texas and the gentleman from
Washington.
I rise today to recognize Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith from
Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, in my congressional
district. Drs. Boyle and Smith, along with Charles Kao of Standard
Telecommunications Laboratories and the Chinese University of Hong
Kong, were awarded the Nobel Prize for physics for the invention of the
charge-coupled device, an imaging semiconductor circuit.
The work of Drs. Boyle and Smith represents a breakthrough in
telecommunications that may bring about revolutionary changes in the
near future. Their significant achievements have helped advance the
United States as the world leader in scientific research and
development.
It should come as no surprise that their work was completed at Bell
Laboratories. Founded in 1925 by the American Telephone and Telegraph
Company, Bell Laboratories is an internationally renowned research
organization. Work at Bell Labs has led to the invention or advancement
of such groundbreaking technologies as the transistor, photovoltaic
cells, the laser, the UNIX operating system, and the CCD sensor. In
fact, seven Nobel Prizes for physics have been awarded for research
conducted at Bell Labs.
I'm very proud to commend Drs. Boyle and Smith on winning the Nobel
Prize in physics and in sharing their scientific achievements with
colleagues in Congress, with Garden State residents, and indeed with
the American people. I also thank my colleague, Congressman Rush Holt,
also from New Jersey, for his efforts to recognize this remarkable
achievement and recognizing Bell Labs.
Mr. BAIRD. I want to, again, commend Mr. Lance from New Jersey and my
colleague and friend, Dr. Rush Holt, for his leadership on this, an
absolutely fitting acknowledgment.
I again urge passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. I congratulate Mr. Baird for his leadership.
Having no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. BAIRD. I have no further speakers, requests for time, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1069.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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