[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 71 (Friday, April 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E438-E439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PATENTS FOR HUMANITY ACT OF 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 
5796, the Patents for Humanity Act of 2021, which will codify into law 
an expedited process to obtain patents for inventors who use 
groundbreaking technology to meet humanitarian challenges.
  H.R. 5796 establishes a competitive process that awards certificates 
to be redeemed to accelerate applications, appeals, and reexaminations 
at the Patent and Trademark Office.
  The Obama administration established Patents for Humanity in 2012 as 
an awards program initiative to encourage businesses to apply their 
patented technology to address global development challenges.
  Since 2012, the program has proven to achieve that by rewarding 
innovators for using technology to better the global community.
  2020 Winners included: Usee Vision providing prescription eyeglasses 
to people who

[[Page E439]]

lack access to vision care, the PfSPZ Malaria vaccine with the highest 
effectiveness rate for a Malaria vaccine, NEW generator recovering 
nutrients from wastewater, and NonSpec providing affordable and 
adjustable prosthetic limb systems.
  These inventions are just some of the many innovative solutions that 
Patents for Humanity fast-tracked in aiding world humanitarian issues.
  Innovation is a vital tool in bettering society, but often it comes 
slowly, with high costs and inefficient implementation. The pandemic 
has only highlighted how important it is to develop solutions quickly 
and effectively.
  Codifying Patents for Humanity will ensure that innovators can 
provide solutions to the less fortunate in a sustainable and efficient 
way through the Patent Office.
  Patents are essential to the United States' economy as they encourage 
creative disruption and growth within the country. Patents need to 
remain accessible and innovation needs to be protected; especially when 
it comes to groundbreaking technology that can assist others on a 
humanitarian level.
  Companies should prioritize Corporate Social Responsibility to align 
commercial interests with the global good. Patents for Humanity 
encourages corporate citizenship through rewarding humanitarian 
engagement and proves that reaching underserved markets is compatible 
with business.
  Congress needs to reward innovation and incentivize creativity to 
progress intellectually and scientifically in solving global 
development problems, which is why I urge my colleagues to vote in 
favor of H.R. 5796.

                          ____________________