[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 9, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1181-H1182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING WINNERS OF NATIONAL MEDAL OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 935) honoring John E. Warnock, Charles M.
Geschke, Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM Corporation for
receiving the 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 935
Whereas the National Medal of Technology and Innovation
(formerly known as the National Medal of Technology) is the
highest honor for technological achievement bestowed by the
President on leading innovators in the United States;
Whereas the purpose of the National Medal of Technology and
Innovation is to recognize individuals, teams, and companies
that have made lasting and substantial contributions to the
United States' competitiveness and to strengthening the
Nation's technological workforce through--
(1) the development and commercialization of technological
products, processes, and concepts,
(2) technological innovation, and
(3) development of the Nation's technological manpower;
Whereas by highlighting the national importance of
technological innovation, the National Medal of Technology
and Innovation seeks to inspire future generations in the
United States to prepare for and pursue technical careers to
keep the United States at the forefront of global technology
and economic leadership;
Whereas, on September 17, 2009, the President named John E.
Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans
Takeuchi, and IBM Corporation as the recipients of the 2008
National Medal of Technology and Innovation;
Whereas Dr. John E. Warnock and Dr. Charles M. Geschke,
both of San Jose, California, pioneered technological
innovations that were central to spurring the revolution in
desktop publishing, which had an immense and significant role
in changing the way people create and engage with information
and entertainment across multiple mediums including print,
video, and the Internet; and
Whereas Forrest M. Bird of Sandpoint, Idaho, invented
pioneering technologies in cardiopulmonary medicine
(including the medical respirator), devices that helped
launch modern-day medical evacuation capabilities, and
intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (``IPV'') technologies,
which have saved the lives of millions of patients with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other conditions;
Whereas Dr. Esther Sans Takeuchi of Buffalo, New York,
developed the silver vanadium oxide battery that powers the
majority of the world's lifesaving implantable cardiac
defibrillators, and other medical battery technologies that
improve the health and quality of life of millions of people;
and
Whereas IBM Corporation of Yorktown Heights, New York,
created the Blue Gene supercomputer and its systems
architecture, design, and software, which have delivered
fundamental new science, unsurpassed speed, and unparalleled
energy efficiency, and have had a profound impact worldwide
on the high-performance computing industry: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes and honors the innovative technological
achievements of John E. Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest
M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM Corporation; and
(2) congratulates John E. Warnock, Charles M. Geschke,
Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM Corporation
for receiving the 2008 National Medal of Technology and
Innovation.
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. 935, 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.
[[Page H1182]]
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 935, honoring John E.
Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and
IBM Corporation for receiving the 2008 National Medal of Technology and
Innovation.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is the highest honor
for technological achievement given by the President to the country's
leading innovators, and the five recipients honored by this resolution
have all made great contributions to technology and innovation in the
United States.
These honorees have made contributions in areas including desktop
publishing, medical and battery technologies, and supercomputing.
Innovation and technological advancements in these areas and others are
critical for many reasons, including furthering health care technology
for our citizens and increasing the United States' ability to remain
economically competitive with other nations.
I want to congratulate the five honorees and thank Representative
Lofgren from California for her leadership in introducing this
resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H. Res. 935 honors John E. Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest M.
Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM for being awarded the 2008 National
Medal of Technology and Innovation. The National Medal of Technology
and Innovation is awarded annually to the Nation's leading innovators.
This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to
their country. Additionally, it's intended to also inspire our youth to
pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields
of study.
Together, Drs. Warnock and Geschke founded Adobe Systems. Adobe
Systems enabled documents to be successfully sent electronically from
program to program through technology that's today known as PDF. Since
their retirement as software executives, both have contributed
generously to programs that help encourage young engineers and
innovators.
Dr. Forrest Bird of Idaho served as an aviator during World War II.
Following the war, he founded Bird, Inc., which developed amphibian
aircraft and innovative breathing equipment to reduce the risks of
altitude sickness. Using this same technology, Bird later developed
medical respirators, which are still in use around the world, and
contributed to lowering breath-related infant mortality rates.
Dr. Esther Sans Takeuchi of New York began her distinguished career
as a scientist for Greatbatch, Inc. In her years there, she developed a
lithium/silver vanadium oxide battery, which was essential to producing
implantable cardiac defibrillators. Today, more than 200,000 of those
ICDs are implanted each year, most with batteries originally developed
by Takeuchi.
IBM's Blue Gene Server Group represents a new age of American
innovation. These supercomputers have enabled business and science to
visit new calculations previously unattainable. In addition, these
computers have been recognized as the most energy efficient of their
type in the world today.
On October 7, 2009, President Obama honored the 2008 recipients of
the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during a White House
ceremony. I join the President in recognizing these distinguished
Americans and urge my colleagues to do so.
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of
my time, Madam Speaker.
{time} 1445
Mr. BAIRD. Again, I want to commend the sponsor of this bill, Ms.
Lofgren, and, most importantly of all, commend the recipients of this
prestigious award and thank them for their contributions to the
betterment of our entire society, our economy, and the well-being of
our public.
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. 935.
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, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
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.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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