Frank Lautenberg: “I rise in support of H.R. 678, the ``Thomas Edison Commemorative Coin Act'', a bill that directs the Secretary of the…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 678, the ``Thomas Edison Commemorative Coin Act'', a bill that directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue coins commemorating Thomas Edison and the 125th anniversary of the invention of the lightbulb. I am the author of the Senate version of this bill. In 1928, Congress saw fit to award to Mr. Edison a Congressional gold medal ``for the development and application of inventions that have revolutionized civilization in the last century.'' Mr. President, by passing this legislation today, we have the opportunity to once again honor the memory of one of the world's greatest inventors by issuing commemorative coins bearing Mr. Edison's likeness. Thomas Edison produced more than 1,300 inventions during the course of his lifetime, 1,093 of which were patented. These included the incandescent lightbulb, the alkaline battery, the phonograph, the microphone, motion picture cameras, and stock tickers. He was one of America's greatest inventors, and truly a genius. Formerly known as ``The Wizard of Menlo Park'', he would spend countless hours in his labs in New Jersey coming up with ideas that ultimately made all our lives much easier. In 1887, Thomas Edison built his lab in West Orange, New Jersey. It was known as the world's first ``invention factory'', where he and his partners invented, built and shipped out numerous products stemming from Edison's work. He saw every failure as a success.”