[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 137 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH MESA LAB

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JARED POLIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 18, 2017

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, in the foothills of the beautiful Boulder 
Flatirons stands a building that has been a beacon of exemplary 
research, groundbreaking discoveries, and an icon of the American 
spirit of research. I speak of course of the National Center for 
Atmospheric Research Mesa Lab, which is celebrating its 50th 
anniversary in 2017.
  The breathtaking design was crafted by I.M. Pei, the legendary 
Chinese-American architect. Pei's previous work in the urban jungle is 
apparent in the looming concrete 5 story towers that comprise the Mesa 
Lab. The bush-hammering technique that is used throughout the building 
offers a roughness to the exterior while the pinkish aggregate mined in 
Lyons, CO helps the complex blend into the surrounding Flatirons.
  The NCAR Mesa Lab is home to 330 world-class scientists. These 
pioneers work every day to fulfill the vision of NCAR's founder, Walter 
Orr Roberts. Blazing new trails in human understanding, atmospheric 
science, climate change research, solar astronomy and much more, the 
scientists at NCAR are an interwoven part of the Boulder community.
  On behalf of my constituents I offer gratitude to have this facility 
and everything it stands for be a part of our family and acknowledge 
that though the research they have produced yields global benefit, we 
recognize that those benefits are only a small payment on the debt we 
owe for having such a fantastic asset as part of our home.

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