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“SENATE RESOLUTION 200--HONORING THE LIFE OF NOBEL LAUREATE JACK ST.” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Senate section on pages S8427-S8428 on July 18, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SENATE RESOLUTION 200--HONORING THE LIFE OF NOBEL LAUREATE JACK ST.
CLAIR KILBY, INVENTOR OF THE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND INNOVATIVE LEADER
IN THE INFORMATION AGE
Mr. CORNYN submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 200
Whereas in July 1958, Mr. Kilby, as a young engineer, resolved a long-standing engineering problem, known as the
``tyranny of numbers'', which prevented engineers from simply and reliably interconnecting electronic components to form circuits by developing the first working integrated circuit;
Whereas on September 12, 1958, Mr. Kilby demonstrated the first working integrated circuit for his colleagues at Texas Instruments, Inc. in Dallas, Texas;
Whereas the resulting integrated circuit contributed to national defense by facilitating the development of the Minuteman Missile and other programs;
Whereas the integrated circuit was central to creating the modern computer and communications industries;
Whereas the creation of the integrated circuit has benefitted the people of Texas by spurring the economy of the State with strong semiconductor and communications sectors and has enabled the integrated circuit industry to enjoy phenomenal growth from $29,000,000,000 annually in 1961 to nearly $1,150,000,000,000 in 2005;
Whereas on October 10, 2000, 42 years after demonstrating the first integrated circuit, Mr. Kilby shared the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics for his part in the invention of the integrated circuit;
Whereas the integrated circuit, known today as the microchip, was the first chip of its kind, drove the technological growth of the Information Age, permitted both the rapid evolution and the miniaturization of technological products, and provided a foundation for important advances in science and medicine that are saving and enriching lives around the world;
Whereas Mr. Kilby further advanced technological progress by inventing more than 60 additional patented items, including the hand-held calculator and the thermal printer;
Whereas Mr. Kilby retired from Texas Instruments, Inc. after 25 years of dedicated service but maintained his presence at the company as a source of inspiration to generations of young engineers until his death on June 20, 2005;
Whereas Mr. Kilby committed himself to education, serving as a Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University from 1978 to 1984, sharing with students the breadth of his knowledge and expertise;
Whereas Mr. Kilby is 1 of only 13 individuals to receive both the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology, the most prestigious awards of the Federal Government for technical achievement;
Whereas the National Academy of Engineering, an independent nonprofit institution that advises the Federal Government on engineering and technology issues, awarded Mr. Kilby the 1989 Charles Stark Draper Prize, 1 of the preeminent awards for engineering achievement in the world;
Whereas the Inamori Foundation, a charitable institution in Japan dedicated to promoting international understanding by honoring individuals who have contributed to scientific progress, culture, and human betterment, bestowed upon Mr. Kilby the 1993 Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology to recognize his contributions to humanity and society;
Whereas Mr. Kilby inspired the creation of the awards named after him, the Kilby International Awards, which honor unsung heroes and heroines who make significant contributions to society through science, technology, innovation, invention, and education;
Whereas Mr. Kilby was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, established in 1973 by the Patent and Trademark Office of the Department of Commerce and the National Council of Intellectual Property Associations, alongside other great inventors in United States history;
Whereas Mr. Kilby, a member of the ``Greatest Generation'', served the United States in World War II as a member of the United States Army;
Whereas Mr. Kilby will be remembered not only as a great technological innovator, but also as a loving husband, dedicated father, and devoted grandfather; and
Whereas Mr. Kilby's invention of the integrated circuit revolutionized nearly all aspects of modern life, has made technology more affordable and more accessible to the world, and will continue to exert tremendous influence on the development of technology in the 21st century: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Nobel Laureate Jack St. Clair Kilby;
(2) commends Mr. Kilby for his pioneering work in the fields of engineering and electronics, which laid the foundation for the technological advances of the 20th and 21st centuries; and
(3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit 1 enrolled copy of this resolution to Mr. Kilby's family.
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