Act Commemorating the LITE

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1096, which commemorates the lifetime innovations of Thomas Edison.

This legislation will ensure the preservation of Thomas Edison's laboratory in New Jersey. Edison set a tremendous example for all Americans to follow, and, through this legislation, Americans of future generations will be able to learn from the lessons he taught us.

Before Thomas Edison opened his lab in New Jersey, he called Port Huron, Michigan, his hometown. That town has done a fine job in its own right to preserve the memory of Thomas Edison, and I am proud to represent it in the House.

In 2004, Port Huron rededicated the Edison Rock as part of the 125th Anniversary of the invention of the light bulb. The event featured the actor Mickey Rooney who starred in the 1940 movie ``Young Tom Edison'', which chronicled Tom's formative years.

I think the Edison Rock is a fitting tribute--not only because it is very big and very heavy--something like 62 tons--but because, like most rocks, it is very old.

That's significant.

In order to rank the importance of Thomas Edison's achievement of the first, practical light bulb you have to go back a long, long way--

In fact, you have to go back to the very beginning--to the Bible and the Book of Genesis, where it says: ``And God said, let there be light--and there was light. ``

Of course, God meant there was sunlight--and don't get me wrong--that was a great start.

But the only problem with sunlight is that it lasts only when the sun is out.

It wasn't until thousands of years later when Thomas Edison said,-- ``Let there be light''--and finally we had light during the other half of the day.

The significance of this invention can never be exaggerated.

Electric light was the spark that ignited the Industrial Revolution and all the technological breakthroughs that followed.

America's work ethic is also part of Edison's extraordinary legacy. Although Edison was undoubtedly a genius, he never thought of himself as one. In fact, he always claimed that his inventions were the product of hard work. ``Genius is one percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration'' was one of his most famous quotes.

Thomas Edison actually struggled for years and built more than 6,000 prototypes before he came up with the successful design for the light bulb.

He made us believe that through hard work, anything can be accomplished.

Edison gave us many gifts--the light bulb--the phonograph--the motion picture camera--as well as hundreds of other inventions that have shaped our modem world.

The phrase--``Good old American ingenuity'' describes the ``can-do'' spirit of our nation--our ability to take on any problem and come up with a solution.

Edison was the personification of American opportunity. He didn't grow up as a member of the privileged class.

He was just an average American, who through a lot of hard work and a little inspiration became one of the most famous and influential people in history.

And so he gave us many gifts--the light bulb, the phonograph, the motion picture camera as well as hundreds of other inventions that have shaped our modern world.

But possibly his greatest gift to us was his representation of the American spirit.

For when we think of Thomas Edison, we believe that anything is possible.

Edison's ability to take on the most difficult problems of mankind-- and come up with an invention that could make everyone's life better is a source of American pride.

We believe that American know-how and American ingenuity are among the characteristics that make our nation great.

That's why I'm confident in our nation.

I'm confident in our ability to do whatever it takes to assure the safety of our nation and the success of liberty.

And it's our nation that continues to bring the light of liberty to the world.

And finally, we believe that you can grow up in Port Huron, Michigan--or thousands of other communities across America--and in everyone of them you have the opportunity to reach for greatness.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to be able to thank my good friend from New Jersey, Mr. Payne, for his eloquence in commenting on this very important site that will be established. The site is a national historic treasure and contains the world's largest collections of materials related to Thomas Edison.

As a member of the House Science Committee, clearly we should use every opportunity to focus on America's researchers and inventors and emphasize that Thomas Edison is one of America's greatest inventors, who has shown not only his love for research and invention, but his inexhaustible energy and genius that produced 1,093 patents in his lifetime, frankly, more than any other American.

Just this weekend we spent time in the city of Houston with the State of the Black Union, and one of the issues dealt with the digital divide among African Americans. The idea of highlighting the importance of invention and the importance of technology of that time by establishing and making better the Edison National Historical Site is, I think, an asset not only to the Nation but certainly to the place where it is lodged. I frankly think that America is a Nation that has great creativity, and I am proud to be an American for that very reason. We are problem-solvers.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the further recognition of the works of Thomas Edison by establishing the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in the State of New Jersey, it causes me to be moved to comment on some of the statements that have been made earlier on the floor of the House and the week's events as relates to signs of showing that we are not creative in our governance of America today, that is, of course, the debate and the recognition of the recent contract with UAE as relates to the taking over of a number of ports throughout America.

Frankly, let me just say that this is not a debate about the UAE, though we now know today that the Coast Guard has indicated that they are not sure that there is not a potential for there to be a security risk in light of port operations being in the hands of foreign entities.

My concern, of course, in this whole debate is the fact that we are dealing with foreign entities in one of our most difficult areas to secure. We know that a ship laden with weapons of mass destruction can be volatile and dangerous.

I will not yield at this point.

point of order

Mr. Speaker, as my good friend from the Republican side wishes to extinguish debate, let me just indicate, as I started out before, that Thomas Edison represents innovativeness. Unfortunately, our present administration is not innovative.

So, Mr. Speaker, I am hoping that my colleagues will join me in being innovative by not yielding to any compromises that may quash the thoughtfulness that we would have in dealing with our homeland security, which, of course, also involves technology.

I hope that we will have a reasonable debate. My good friend from the other side of the aisle, I hope he will engage in this debate so that legislation that I am offering that is creative, that deals with putting a moratorium on any of these operations owned by foreign entities, a study by the GAO, a study by Homeland Security about our security, I hope that we will have the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to be relevant at another time.

Again, let me say I congratulate the sponsors of this legislation dealing with the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. It exudes innovativeness and respect for creativity in America.

It is sad to say that the last week's activities and our failures for America's ports show no creativity. It is time for Congress to be as creative as it can be in securing the Nation's homeland.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 1096, the Act Commemorating the Lifetime Innovations of Thomas Edison. The Thomas Edison Historic Site in West Orange, New Jersey is a national historic treasure, and I am privileged to have it located in my congressional district and have had the pleasure of visiting the site on a number of occasions.

The laboratory complex consists of buildings that date back to 1887. These labs house the technology and the technological innovations and artifacts that changed the course of not only America but the entire world. We have visitors from throughout the world that come to the site, many from Asian countries where technology has become a very important part of their development and in many instances even bow to the statue and pictures of Thomas Edison because they revere the importance of technology that has really lighted the world through his inventions. The labs house the technology and innovations. And from the light bulb to the motion picture camera, Edison's unparalleled innovations are being preserved for current and future generations. The first movie was made there, the Black Maria it is called, and the movie studio is as it was over 100 years ago. The light bulb, the phonograph and records that were cast there at this site all need to be preserved.

Over the years, I have witnessed a positive impact of this unit of the National Park Service. The Edison laboratory complex has opened its doors and resources to assisting in the education of the community, particularly our young people who have had an opportunity to study and to have innovative lessons there. As a former teacher, I am well aware of the value of having a piece of history accessible to augment the learning process by providing lesson plans for teachers, hosting on- site and virtual tours, and facilitating programs and activities for students. The Edison site has provided an invaluable learning experience for these young people.

Thomas Edison devoted his life to technological innovations. His work ethic and commitment to improving the quality of life for others is a lesson that is extremely applicable today. Edison's improvement on the telephone and telegraph machines put him on the cutting edge of communications technology. As we in Congress consider the reauthorization of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, Edison's legacy reminds us of how far we have come.

This June we will celebrate the reopening of the Edison complex. For 2 years the National Park Service and the Thomas Edison Preservation Foundation have worked together to restore and revitalize this historic site.

Over 400,000 artifacts and 5 million pages of documents that trace Edison's process of inventions have been deteriorating due to poor environmental

conditions and age-related decay. Many years ago, I made a request to allocate an appropriations to address these issues, and we were able to get $5 million about 10 years ago. The result is what we see today.

I am very appreciative that my colleagues approve this appeal. The repairs and enhancements of this century-old building will improve the preservation of the priceless artifacts, ensuring that this treasure will remain an educational and cultural destination for generations to come. Passage of this bill will ensure the long-term success of the Edison Historical Site and demonstrate the congressional commitment to our history. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to include these in the extension of remarks.

I want to speak in strong support of H.R. 1096--legislation to help restore the Thomas Edison National Historic Site. I congratulate my colleague Scott Garrett for introducing this worthy legislation. It has been a privilege to work closely with Representative Garrett and Representative Don Payne, whose district houses a large portion of the Edison site, to preserve this national treasure.

I am proud that I represent a region of New Jersey that has given birth to some of the greatest innovations in our Nation's history: Thomas Edison's Glenmont estate in West Orange and the Great Falls National Historic District in Paterson--America's First Industrial City. Each of these impressive areas--only 10 miles apart--sprang from the imagination of two of the great pioneers in American history: Thomas Edison and Alexander Hamilton. Both of these sites--the Edison National Historic Site and the Great Falls Historic District--have been included among the most endangered historic areas in our Nation. The artifacts of both sites are in terrible physical condition and are in grave peril of being lost to the country forever.

Together, these majestic places tell the inspiring story of the rise of the greatest technological and economic power the world has ever known. I strongly believe that it is the role of the Federal Government to partner with the local community to preserve the glory of these places for all future generations to behold.

Although these sites are both close to my heart, I want to specifically voice my support for the preservation and rehabilitation of the Edison National Historic Site, which embodies Edison's legacy as a pioneer of American technology. The Edison National Historic Site, encompassing Edison's home and laboratory complex, is regarded as one of America's original research and development facilities. Half of Edison's astonishing 1,093 patents were earned during the 44 years he lived in West Orange.

The classic inventions created at this site include the phonograph, electric generating systems, the dry storage battery, and the motion picture camera. Edison left a vast collection of artifacts, models, photographs, drawings, and furnishings at the Edison site. In addition, he left nearly 3,500 notebooks documenting every experiment, idea, failure, observation and business strategy of his long career.

Even as Thomas Edison lives on as one of the leading visionaries of our time, his home and labs have tragically fallen into severe disrepair due to age-related decay. The public and private sector must work together to ensure that adults and young people alike will always be able to rediscover the genius of Edison and the impact he has had on all of our daily lives. The support of the National Park Service has enabled the Edison Preservation Foundation to create a vital public- private partnership to maintain the site as a major community and educational resource.

Despite this progress, Congressional support through H.R. 1096 is vital to the Edison site's long-term success. The legislation is an important symbol of Congress's commitment to preserving the legacy of one of America's most influential inventors and to restoring a Federal site that is a historic landmark. I urge the House of Representatives to move forward and approve this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1096, a piece of legislation that benefits an important historic landmark from my home State of New Jersey, the Thomas Edison National Historic Site.

I also want to thank my colleagues from the other side of the aisle for their support and their hard work on this as well, Congressman Donald Payne and Congressman Bill Pascrell for all their work in joining with me in sponsoring this important legislation.

Tom Edison's contributions, most notably the incandescent light bulb, the motion picture camera, and the phonograph, have had a profound effect on the way people live their lives around the world. In fact, Life Magazine once honored him as the most important individual for the last 1,000 years.

The Thomas Edison National Historic Site in West Orange, New Jersey is a national treasure, encompassing Edison's home of 45 years, his laboratories and offices, and a vast collection of artifacts and historic documents.

Since 1997, the Edison Preservation Foundation has successfully partnered with the National Park Service to provide resources for the restoration of the site's historic buildings, artifacts and such, and plans to establish an endowment to support it for future operation including education programs for children. This partnership is really a great example of the public/private partnership working together and can serve as a role model for other programs in the future considering scarce financial Federal resources.

Unfortunately, both the historic structures where Edison lived and worked and irreplaceable treasures they now hold are at serious risk due to extensive water and damage and age-related decay. Although the site historically has been a major education destination for students from around the region, the need for renovations has led to a temporary closure of the site to visitors. While private support through the efforts of the Edison Preservation Foundation is crucial to efforts to restore the site, a long-term commitment from the Federal Government is also necessary for future success. So to ensure this long-term commitment, we have H.R. 1096, which commemorates Edison's lifetime accomplishments; redesignates, consistent with the National Park Service guidelines, the Edison Historic Site as the National Historic Park; and authorizes appropriations for the support of the site. This legislation will enable the Edison site to more effectively compete for scarce Federal funds and it would also strengthen the Edison Preservation Foundation's ability to raise private dollars.

Finally, Thomas Edison's legacy is an important component of the history of the State of New Jersey and the United States. So it is important that this Congress affirm its support for the Edison site by advancing this legislation.