Honoring John E. Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM Corporation for receiving the 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

Madam Speaker, today I rise as the proud sponsor of

House Resolution 935, congratulating Drs. John E. Warnock and Charles M. Geschke of Adobe Systems, Dr. Esther Sans Takeuchi, Dr. Forrest M. Bird, and IBM Corporation as the recipients of the 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is the highest honor for technological achievement bestowed by the President on leading innovators in the United States.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation has been awarded annually since 1985 and recognizes outstanding contributions to America's economic, environmental, and social well-being through the development of technological products, processes, and innovation.

The purpose of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through technological innovation. By highlighting the national importance of technological innovation, we hope to inspire future generations of Americans to prepare for and pursue technical careers to keep America at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.

The 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation Laureates include innovation and achievement in the display and dissemination of information, lifesaving medical technology, and computer design and development.

I'm particularly proud that two of the 2008 Medal recipients, Drs. John E. Warnock and Charles M. Geschke, hail from my district in San Jose, California. Drs. Warnock and Geschke, through their work at Adobe Systems, pioneered innovations that were crucial to the revolution in desktop publishing that began in the 1980s and continues today. The advances in desktop publishing had, and continue to have, a profound effect on the way we create and communicate information across mediums such as print, video, and Internet. It is fitting that today we recognize two individuals who have been influential in informing how we create, communicate, and interact with information; the work of Drs. Warnock and Geschke played a prominent role in ushering in what we know as ``The Information Age.''

As a Member representing Silicon Valley, I know firsthand how technological and scientific innovations provide invaluable contributions to our society. Research and innovation have long been key drivers of our economy, particularly in the Bay Area. Advances in science, medicine, and technology will continue to shape our economy and our world. Therefore, it is vital that we encourage and recognize those who lead the way in these critical areas--those like our 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation Laureates. It is my hope that in spotlighting the very best in technology and innovation, we provide encouragement to the next generation of students, researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and businesses to continue to invest their time, energy, expertise, and resources into creating the next era of technological achievement. It is through innovation and advancement in science and technology that we will continue to be a leader in the global economy, protect our environment, and improve the lives of all Americans.

Again, I am proud to join my colleagues in honoring the 2008 recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and I urge the passage of the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H. Res. 935 honors John E. Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM for being awarded the 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is awarded annually to the Nation's leading innovators. This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to their country. Additionally, it's intended to also inspire our youth to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields of study.

Together, Drs. Warnock and Geschke founded Adobe Systems. Adobe Systems enabled documents to be successfully sent electronically from program to program through technology that's today known as PDF. Since their retirement as software executives, both have contributed generously to programs that help encourage young engineers and innovators.

Dr. Forrest Bird of Idaho served as an aviator during World War II. Following the war, he founded Bird, Inc., which developed amphibian aircraft and innovative breathing equipment to reduce the risks of altitude sickness. Using this same technology, Bird later developed medical respirators, which are still in use around the world, and contributed to lowering breath-related infant mortality rates.

Dr. Esther Sans Takeuchi of New York began her distinguished career as a scientist for Greatbatch, Inc. In her years there, she developed a lithium/silver vanadium oxide battery, which was essential to producing implantable cardiac defibrillators. Today, more than 200,000 of those ICDs are implanted each year, most with batteries originally developed by Takeuchi.

IBM's Blue Gene Server Group represents a new age of American innovation. These supercomputers have enabled business and science to visit new calculations previously unattainable. In addition, these computers have been recognized as the most energy efficient of their type in the world today.

On October 7, 2009, President Obama honored the 2008 recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation during a White House ceremony. I join the President in recognizing these distinguished Americans and urge my colleagues to do so.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 935) honoring John E. Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM Corporation for receiving the 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 935, the resolution now under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 935, honoring John E. Warnock, Charles M. Geschke, Forrest M. Bird, Esther Sans Takeuchi, and IBM Corporation for receiving the 2008 National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is the highest honor for technological achievement given by the President to the country's leading innovators, and the five recipients honored by this resolution have all made great contributions to technology and innovation in the United States.

These honorees have made contributions in areas including desktop publishing, medical and battery technologies, and supercomputing. Innovation and technological advancements in these areas and others are critical for many reasons, including furthering health care technology for our citizens and increasing the United States' ability to remain economically competitive with other nations.

I want to congratulate the five honorees and thank Representative Lofgren from California for her leadership in introducing this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Again, I want to commend the sponsor of this bill, Ms. Lofgren, and, most importantly of all, commend the recipients of this prestigious award and thank them for their contributions to the betterment of our entire society, our economy, and the well-being of our public.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend several votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on final passage of H.R. 3650, ``aye'' on final passage of H. Res. 1069, and ``aye'' on final passage H. Res. 935.

Mr. Speaker, on March 9, 2010, I was called away on personal business. I regret that I was not present to vote on H.R. 3650, H. Res. 1069, and H. Res. 935. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all votes.