6 July 1997

For related electrical research see: http://jya.com/haarp.htm

[Congressional Record: June 24, 1997 (Extensions)]
[Page E1307]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr24jn97-19]


                      RECOGNITION OF NIKOLA TESLA
                                 ______


                        HON. ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 1997

  Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the vast
accomplishments of an often neglected figure in our Nation's history. A
man who strived to fulfill the American dream and in doing so aided in
the synthesis of some of the most significant scientific advancements
of this century. The man I wish to acknowledge is Mr. Nikola Tesla: a
student, an inventor, and a hero of the American industrial revolution.
  Nikola Tesla was born on the morning of July 10, 1856 in the midst of
a tumultuous thunderstorm. The weather conditions surrounding his birth
led some to call him the storm child while his mother preferred to
assume the positive approach and affectionately referred to her son as
the child of the light. Both these names proved to be reflections of
Nikola's later life as an ingenious inventor. His innate love for
scientific discovery became apparent at an early age and lasted
throughout his lifetime.
  After completing an advanced degree in the field of engineering,
Tesla pursued a career as an electric engineer in the United States. He
worked closely with Thomas Edison, the world renowned American
inventor, to bring the wonder of electricity to the growing metropolis
of New York. Allied with the commercial distribution strength of George
Westinghouse, Nikola Tesla began his quest to spread the power of
electricity across this great country. In 1893, Tesla was commissioned
to generate the thousands of volts of electrical power necessary to
light the Chicago World's Fair. In addition to this engineering feat,
Tesla was also responsible for the design of the Niagara Mohawk Falls
power plant which to this day provides an ecological and economical
means of power to the upper portion of New York State and parts of
Canada.
  At the turn of the century, Nikola Tesla dedicated himself to
independent research which led to a series of landmark discoveries.
During this period Tesla conceived such innovations as the alternating
current generator, the properties of the spinning magnetic field, the
Tesla coil, the basic principals of broadcasting, as well as 700 other
significant inventions and theories. Many of Tesla's discoveries form
the foundation upon which our current technology is based, yet
presently he receives little recognition for his contributions to the
modern world. It is distressing that this man who transformed science
fiction into a tangible reality is not properly credited with his
accomplishments.
  Nikola Tesla is a man who deserves acknowledgment for his numerous
contributions to the advancement of American as well as world
technology. It is an undebatable fact that Tesla was an essential
component in providing the economical distribution of electricity to
this country, an important factor in the industrialization of our
Nation. In an age in which technology and scientific advancements are
vital to everyday life, we are particularly indebted to the work of
this unsung hero. The modern day conveniences of electricity,
telecommunications, and broadcasting are reason enough to take time to
acknowledge the man who is responsible for the basis of these
innovations. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to recognize the
achievements of this American citizen before the U.S. House of
Representatives.

                          ____________________