[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FLORIDA INVENTORS HALL OF FAME 2019 INDUCTEES

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                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2019

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the eight 
inventors who have been recognized as the 2019 Inductees of the Florida 
Inventors Hall of Fame. To be named as an Inductee, these inventors 
were nominated by their peers nationwide and have undergone the 
scrutiny of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Selection Committee. As 
a result, their innovations have been identified as significantly 
impacting the quality of life, economic development, and welfare of 
their communities, the residents of Florida, and the United States.
  The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in 2013 by Paul R. 
Sanberg, Senior Vice President for Research, Innovation and Knowledge 
Enterprise, and Judy Genshaft, President, at the University of South 
Florida. It was recognized by the Florida Senate with Senate Resolution 
1756, adopted on April 30, 2014. Its mission is to encourage 
individuals of all backgrounds to strive toward the betterment of 
Florida and society through continuous, groundbreaking innovation by 
celebrating the incredible scientific work that has been or is being 
accomplished in Florida and by its citizens.
  Nomination to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is open to all 
Florida inventors (living or dead) who are or have been residents of 
Florida. The nominee must be a named inventor on a patent issued by the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office. The impact of the inventor 
and his or her invention should be significant to society, and the 
invention should have been commercialized, utilized, or led to 
important innovations.
  The 2019 Inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame are:
  Michael Bass: Professor Emeritus at the University of Central Florida 
selected for his significant inventions in optics and spectroscopy that 
have optimized the use of lasers and optical systems, aiding in the 
treatment of major diseases and improving the design of the world's 
fiber optic communication system.
  Joanna S. Fowler: Native Floridian, University of South Florida 
alumni, and 2008 National Medal of Science recipient selected for her 
transformative research that enabled the use of molecular imaging to 
more accurately identify and treat illnesses ranging from drug 
addiction to cancer.
  Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000): Former Florida resident for nearly two 
decades, Oscar-nominated actress, and 2014 National Inventors Hall of 
Fame inductee selected for her ground breaking invention of the Secret 
Communication System, which led to the creation of various technologies 
used today to support Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.
  Thomas A. Lipo: Research Professor at the Florida State University 
Center for Advanced Power Systems selected for his pioneering 
innovations in the field of electrical machinery and power electronics 
that improved the technology that runs subway cars as well as paved the 
way for hybrid and electric vehicles.
  Alan F. List: CEO and president of Moffitt Cancer Center selected for 
his dedication to understanding cancer biology and developing novel 
therapeutic strategies for treating hematologic malignancies such as 
myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelocytic leukemia (AML).
  Chris A. Malachowsky: University of Florida alum selected for 
inventing the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) that transformed the 
visual computing industry, revolutionized high performance computing, 
and opened the door to modern artificial intelligence.
  Luther George Simjian (1905-1997): prolific inventor and founder of 
Tampa based Reflectone, Inc, who developed the Optical Range Estimation 
Trainer used during WWII, which became the standard for simulation 
defense training, and for his many other inventions including his ATM 
concept that revolutionized the banking system.
  Richard A. Yost: University of Florida professor of chemistry 
selected for his invention of the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, 
a ground breaking analytical instrument that is used daily in drug 
development, disease testing, food safety, and environmental studies.
  Innovation and invention are the building blocks of our nation. I 
applaud these highly accomplished individuals and the organizations 
that support them in their quest to change the world in ways that truly 
benefit humanity. It is because of the perseverance of these inventors 
that future generations are encouraged to reach beyond their limits and 
push the boundaries of innovation.

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