[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING SPECTROLAB'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. TONY CARDENAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the 60th 
Anniversary of Spectrolab, located in Sylmar.
   Spectrolab was founded in 1956 by Mr. Alfred E. Mann, a noted 
entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist.
   Spectrolab is the world's leading manufacturer of solar cells and 
solar panels for space. Having manufactured more than 6.5 million solar 
cells, Spectrolab has powered more than 600 satellites and exploration 
vehicles.
   The technology and products developed by Spectrolab have been a part 
of our nation's first ventures into space, including Pioneer 1 in 1958 
and Explorer 6 in 1959.
   Its solar panels were placed on the moon during the Apollo 11 
mission in 1969.
   In 2004, Spectrolab received NASA's George M. Low Award for Supplier 
Quality and Excellence and had multi-junction cells inducted into the 
Space Technology Hall of Fame by the United States Space Foundation.
   Spectrolab's solar cells power the International Space Station, the 
largest spacecraft in orbit. They recently set a new record with its 
advanced solar cells, powering Juno, NASA's interplanetary probe, on a 
mission to Jupiter.
   With more than 80 percent of all law enforcement aircraft and 
helicopters in the United States using Spectrolab's Nightsun 
searchlights, this Sylmar Company has also made a difference in cities 
across the country.
   Spectrolab's contributions to the San Fernando Valley and the space 
industry are truly commendable.
   I applaud the record of unparalleled accomplishments in space 
exploration, illumination, and solar cell technology and satellite 
development.

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