[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  IN HONOR OF DR. DIETER MARTIN GRUEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SEAN CASTEN

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2019

  Mr. CASTEN of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today on Dr. Dieter 
Martin Gruen's 97th birthday, in support of his nomination for the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom.
   On November 4th, my colleagues, Representative Bill Foster and 
Representative Chuck Fleischmann, joined me in supporting Dr. Gruen's 
nomination for the highest civilian award in this country. Dr. Gruen 
has dedicated his life to science and made monumental contributions to 
shaping the United States as a leader and world power in technology, 
innovation, and national defense.
   For nearly eight decades, Dr. Gruen has worked to enhance American 
technology development as a former Manhattan Project Scientist and 
Argonne National Laboratory Distinguished Fellow. Born in 1922, Dr. 
Gruen is an internationally esteemed German-American chemist, inventor, 
and innovator who immigrated to the U.S. from Nazi Germany in 1936. 
Throughout his career, Dr. Gruen has been driven by his curiosity and 
commitment to science--allowing him to make critical contributions to 
nuclear fission and fusion, solar energy, energy storage, and 
conservation. Specifically, Dr. Gruen has made several key 
technological advancements such as the nuclear submarine reactor 
cooling design and purification of uranium used to end World War II in 
the Pacific theater.
   Through this work and countless other selfless endeavors, Dr. Gruen 
has been recognized by the international scientific community with 
numerous awards--including from Argonne National Laboratory, 
Northwestern University, and the Patent Law Association of Chicago--for 
his pioneering research in chemistry, physics, along with the emerging 
fields of materials and nanoscience.
   I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Gruen earlier this 
year at his home in Downers Grove. What was intended to be a thirty-
minute meeting became a two-hour conversation where I heard countless 
stories about Dr. Gruen's work on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, 
Tennessee, the nuts and bolts of nuclear fission technology, and his 
unique journey to the United States. At 97, Dr. Gruen still sees the 
world as a place of vast opportunities for technological innovation. 
His optimism has been a source of inspiration and encouragement in my 
work as a Member of Congress as we tackle critical issues facing our 
society.
   Dr. Gruen has continued his lifelong commitment to science by 
actively funding the building and demonstration of his novel solar cell 
technology in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago. 
For the reasons mentioned here and many more, I sincerely believe that 
Dr. Dieter Gruen should be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom 
for his lifelong contributions to science and technology that continue 
today. Dr. Gruen's tireless efforts to solve future energy challenges 
have seldom been exhibited by an individual. Humble and unpretentious, 
Dr. Gruen has been and remains the embodiment of a dedicated American 
and pure scientist.
   I congratulate Dr. Gruen for his decades of accomplishments and 
exceptional contributions to science and the national security 
interests of the United States. I cannot think of a more deserving 
citizen for this award, and today I wish him the happiest of birthdays.

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