[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10835]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING DR. EDMUND O. SCHWEITZER, III

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2012

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a 
very good friend and constituent, Dr. Edmund O. Schweitzer, III on 
receiving the 2012 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 
Medal in Power Engineering.
  Truly one of the most inspirational individuals I have ever met, Dr. 
Schweitzer is an electrical engineer and President, CEO, and Founder of 
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman, Washington. After 
growing up in Chicago, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees 
in electrical engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, 
Indiana, and his doctorate from Washington State University, Pullman. 
After sharpening his craft at Ohio University and Washington State 
University, Dr. Schweitzer founded SEL, Inc. in 1982 in Pullman, 
Washington. An IEEE Fellow and member of the U.S. National Academy of 
Engineering, Dr. Schweitzer's has more honors and accolades to fully 
list, but they include an Alumni Achievement Award from Washington 
State University and the Purdue University Outstanding Electrical and 
Computer Engineer Award.
  Since its founding, SEL has grown into the world's leading power 
protection company with over 3,000 employee-owners with facilities in 
20 countries around the world. Dr. Schweitzer envisioned the concept of 
the ``smart grid'' long before the term was popularized. He recognized 
early in his career the importance of computer technology for power 
protection and how it could change the field. Dr. Schweitzer's 
pioneering inventions and leadership in bringing computer-based methods 
to the marketplace starting in the 1980s have revolutionized safety, 
reliability and efficiency in generating, transmitting and distributing 
electric power and have transformed operation of the power grid.
  Much like Benjamin Franklin and many of our nation's greatest 
inventors, Dr. Schweitzer was not deterred by early set backs or 
conventional wisdom that ran contrary to his transformational vision. 
Dr. Schweitzer's innovations have allowed engineers of all backgrounds 
to monitor, control and protect power systems in ways not previously 
imagined. As an engineer with keen business intellect, Dr. Schweitzer 
realized early on that his innovations could revolutionize companies' 
bottom line--allowing them to reduce expenses, expand, and create jobs. 
The application of Dr. Schweitzer's digital technology as replacement 
equipment or in new installations has led to reduced design work in 
protection and control systems, flexible operation options and 
increased reliability, resulting in reduced cost.
  Recently, Speaker John A. Boehner and I had the pleasure of touring 
and meeting the newest employee-owners at SEL's headquarters in 
Pullman, Washington. The Speaker and I were a touched by the sincerity 
and pride each of SEL's employees have in their work--a direct 
reflection of Dr. Schweitzer's leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
one of America's great innovators and modern day pioneers, Dr. Edmund 
O. Schweitzer, III, on receiving the 2012 Institute of Electrical and 
Electronics Engineers Medal in Power Engineering.

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