Political Quotes

“Friday, the 7th of November 1997, on the occasion of the bicentennial of the birth of Joseph Henry, the Joseph Henry Medal was presented to Dr. Frederick Seitz at a dinner of the Smithsonian Council. Clearly, this was a special occasion, and it was singularly appropriate that Frederick Seitz should be the honoree. The citation of the splendid gold medal reads: The Board of Regents gratefully presents the Joseph Henry Medal to Frederick Seitz in recognition of his manifold contributions to The Smithsonian Institution. His advancement of the Smithsonian's research and educational programs in the sciences, history, and the history of science has exemplified the ideals of James Smithson's mandate . . . ``for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.''--May 4, 1997. Having received the medal, Dr. Seitz, with his enormous erudition and no less prodigious self-effacing manner, presented a paper of great interest. Entitled, Joseph Henry: 200th Anniversary of Birth, he wrote of the belated appearance of science as a large-scale activity in the American Republic, but also of four early pioneers: Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Thompson, Henry A. Rowland, and Joseph Henry himself. Which of us would know that Franklin discovered the Gulf Stream? That is just one of the absorbing details of this fascinating disquisition. I ask that it be printed in the Record in honor of Frederick Seitz, Joseph Henry, and all that splendid company.…”