[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 78 (Wednesday, June 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING DR. TRIFON LASKARIS ON RECEIPT OF HIS 200TH U.S. PATENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAUL TONKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2013

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable 
individual and prolific inventor whose pioneering research into medical 
imaging has helped to transform modern day medicine. Dr. Trifon 
Laskaris, a Chief Scientist at General Electric's Global Research 
Center, was recently awarded his 200th U.S. patent--a benchmark 
previously reached by only one other GE researcher--the inventor of the 
light bulb and founder of the company's research center, Thomas Edison.
   For the past four decades, Dr. Laskaris has worked at GE Global 
Research on technology to advance magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. 
He has spent much of his career directing GE's research into 
superconducting magnets. It is these high-power magnets that make MRI 
possible. Suffice it to say that without the work of Dr. Laskaris and 
his team, MRI would not be where it is today--a vital diagnostic tool 
used in hospitals around the world. There is no telling how many 
millions of people are leading healthier lives today because of the 
technology that Dr. Laskaris developed.
   New York's Capital Region has a rich history as a hub for cutting-
edge science and technology. From the birth of General Electric more 
than 120 years ago, to the emergence of ``Tech Valley'' as a center for 
nanotechnology research and development, upstate New York continues to 
be at the forefront of invention and innovation that is making America 
and the world a better place. Dr. Laskaris is an inspiration to us all, 
and his achievement is a testament to the fruits that creativity and 
steadfast pursuit of technological advancement can bear.
   I congratulate Dr. Trifon Laskaris on this milestone achievement 
and, on behalf of this body and the citizens of the 20th District of 
New York, I thank him for his lifelong dedication to scientific 
research in the service of humanity.

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