[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 85 (Thursday, May 16, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL DAY OF LIGHT

  (Mr. MORELLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight my resolution 
recognizing today, May 16, as the National Day of Light.
  Madam Speaker, 64 years ago Theodore Maiman, an American physicist, 
invented the first light amplification by stimulated emission of 
radiation, or LASER.
  Since then, light-based technologies have grown to play a critical 
role in innovation. My community of Rochester, New York, is the proud 
home of one of the largest optics and photonics clusters in the Nation, 
companies employing thousands of individuals.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Optics and Photonics Caucus, I am 
working to make certain that America capitalizes on the potential of 
light-based technologies, from photonic integrated circuits to quantum 
computing and communications which strengthens our economy and our 
national security.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting these important 
efforts.
  Madam Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to shed some light on this 
under-illuminated celebration.

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