[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3090-H3091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LASER
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1310) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the
laser.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1310
Whereas the invention of the laser was one of the
groundbreaking scientific achievements of the 20th century;
Whereas in 1953, Charles H. Townes, along with graduate
students James Gordon and Herbert Zeiger produced the first
master device, which was a precursor to the laser that relied
on microwave radiation instead of visible or infrared
radiation;
Whereas concurrent to Charles H. Townes' activities,
Nikolay Basov and Aleksandr Prokhorov of the Soviet Union
independently produced a maser with significant technical
advances which allowed continuous output;
Whereas Charles H. Townes, Nikolay Basov, and Aleksandr
Prokhorov shared the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics for their
``fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics'',
which led to the construction of masers, and subsequently
lasers;
Whereas in 1960, Theodore H. Maiman constructed the first
functioning laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu,
California, and the laser was first operated on May 16, 1960;
Whereas Theodore H. Maiman was the recipient of the 1983/
1984 Wolf Prize in Physics for his realization of the first
operating laser;
Whereas since being created in 1960, lasers have become an
integral and essential part of our daily lives. Lasers can be
found in a wide range of applications including in compact
disc players, laser printers, barcode scanners, digital video
devices (DVDs), industrial welders, and surgical apparatus,
amongst others;
Whereas total global sales of lasers in 2010 is expected to
top 5.9 billion dollars;
Whereas innovations flowing from basic research such as the
laser have made America into the world leader in technology
development;
Whereas continued support of scientific research programs
is indispensible to maintaining America's position as the
global leader in technology and innovation; and
Whereas LaserFest is a year-long celebration of the 50th
anniversary intended to bring public awareness to the story
of the laser and scientific achievement generally, and was
founded by the following partners: the Optical Society of
America, the American Physical Society, the International
Society for Optical Engineering, and IEEE: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the laser; and
(2) recognizes the need for continued support of scientific
research to maintain America's future competitiveness.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Ohio (Ms. Fudge) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio.
General Leave
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. 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. 1310, the resolution now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Ms. FUDGE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1310, which
celebrates the 50th anniversary of the creation of the first laser.
The world's first laser was operated on May 16, 1960. It was
constructed by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories in
Malibu, California. This was a significant engineering and scientific
feat.
Theodore Maiman's work was preceded by theoretical work by Charles
Townes, James Gordon, Herbert Zeiger, Nikolay Basov, and Aleksandr
Prokhorov. Townes, Basov, and Prokhorov won the 1964 Nobel Prize in
Physics for their work.
One of the peculiarities of the achievement of the invention of the
laser is that, for many years after its creation, the laser was an
invention without many practical applications. However, as time went
on, scientists and engineers recognized the incredible potential of the
laser. Today, the laser is almost ubiquitous. It can be found in almost
every home, office, and automobile in America. Lasers are also big
business, with annual laser sales approaching $6 billion per year, and
growing.
The story of the laser is illustrative of how investments in basic
R&D can have huge economic and scientific implications down the road.
It is a story to remember well as this Congress prepares to take up the
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act in the coming weeks.
I would like to take a moment to recognize the sponsor of this
resolution, Dr. Vern Ehlers. It is my understanding that, in a prior
life, Dr. Ehlers knew one of the persons cited in this resolution, Dr.
Townes, so it is especially fitting that he is the sponsor.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 1310 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the
construction of the laser, marking a major milestone in scientific
discovery.
In 1953, Charles Townes produced what would become a precursor to the
laser--the first microwave amplifier. Townes and his colleagues teamed
up with Bell Laboratories in 1957 to begin extensive research on the
amplification devices. Their focus shifted only to those amplifiers
which produced visible light. In 1958, Bell Laboratories submitted a
patent for an optical laser. However, such a device had yet to be
successfully created. It was not until Charles Townes and Gordon Gould
met in 1958 that the fundamentals of the laser and of the open
resonator design were first discussed. In 1960, Theodore Maiman
constructed the first operational laser. He used theories and plans
published by Bell Labs, Gould, and Townes to construct this remarkable
device.
Charles Townes was later awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics, along
with scientists Nikolay Basov and Aleksandr Prokhorov, for their work
in quantum electronics, which laid the groundwork for the construction
of lasers.
We rely on lasers in our daily lives, and they are found in everyday
products, such as laser printers, barcode scanners, and numerous
medical devices. The world sales of lasers are estimated at well over
$5 billion to date.
Today, in large part, we realize that great success stories, such as
the construction of lasers, are due to American ingenuity, which stems
directly from the investment in basic research and in our outstanding
institutions of higher learning. The laser is a prime example of basic
research that ended up having multiple applications well beyond what
its creators could have ever conceived.
The construction of the laser is but one example that leaves me
confident in America's place at the top of the scientific world. I
applaud these great scientists for their contributions to our
community, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I would just ask that my colleagues support
this resolution, H. Res. 1310, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1310.
[[Page H3091]]
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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