[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[HOU]
[Page 12670]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS OF HAPPY VALLEY LAUNCHBOX

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are, and 
have always been, a key to the economic success of our Nation. With 
that in mind, I want to recognize the importance of the Happy Valley 
LaunchBox, which was introduced last year as part of the Invent Penn 
State initiative.
  As an alumni and longtime friend of the university, I am proud to 
consistently celebrate the unique accomplishments of the leadership, 
faculty, staff, and student body at Penn State.
  Additionally, in my role as a senior member of the House Committee on 
Education and the Workforce, I often have the opportunity to highlight 
the importance of cutting-edge concepts--such as the Invent Penn State 
initiative--in strengthening the overall economy of our Nation.
  The Happy Valley LaunchBox is a place where entrepreneurs from the 
community as well as Penn State faculty, students, and staff can work 
to commercialize their innovative business concepts.
  Last month I had the chance to meet with university officials and 
those, including students, who have been able to get their small 
businesses off the ground thanks to this initiative.
  I know that I join those from the university and the Centre County 
region in wishing the LaunchBox the best of success in the future.

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