[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16554]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                COMMENDING THE DOMESTIC COPPER INDUSTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM HOLDEN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of the 
domestic copper industry and to thank them for the tremendous services 
that they are providing to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as 
the men and women serving in the United States military at home and 
overseas.
  The copper industry has long stood as one of the cornerstones of 
Pennsylvania's manufacturing base. With a number of producers and 
fabricators operating across the Commonwealth, including Heyco Metals 
in my district, I have had to opportunity to learn of the far-reaching 
benefits of copper. The Department of Defense has also recognized the 
benefits of incorporating copper and copper alloys into military 
applications. As such, the military and copper industry have 
established a cooperative relationship to advance research and 
development in a wide breadth of areas including medical technology and 
industrial systems. Copper research has produced crucial advances for 
the American military in land based, shipboard, and aerospace 
applications and has done so in a cost-effective manner.
  I am encouraged that the Army, through the Telemedicine and Advanced 
Technology Research Center (TATRC), is undertaking research on how best 
to utilize copper alloy's intrinsic antimicrobial capacities in 
healthcare settings, including military outfits at home and overseas. 
The Copper Antimicrobial Research Program and the Copper Air Quality 
Program involve retrofitting surgical units and HVAC systems in 
critical DoD facilities--including VA hospitals and clinics, mobile 
medical units, shipboard medical facilities--with copper surfaces and 
components. Research has shown that these surfaces are able to quickly 
inactivate infection causing pathogens. Copper offers the potential to 
notably improve air quality and reduce the risk of cross-contamination 
between staff and patients in critical care units.
  These projects are examples of the potential that collaborative 
efforts hold for the military, but it is important to also recognize 
that continued innovation helps sustain the copper industry and the 
manufacturing sector as a whole. Heyco Metals, a fabricator of non-
ferrous metals in Reading, PA, has been serving an important role in 
the copper industry. It is also appropriate to recognize the Copper 
Development Association (CDA), of which Heyco Metals is a key member. 
CDA serves as the development, engineering, and information services 
arm of the copper industry. I commend both Heyco Metals and CDA for 
their passionate commitment to expand the market for copper 
applications.
  In closing, I am grateful to both my colleagues and the military for 
recognizing the crucial benefits that the copper industry has to offer.

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