Display throughout the capitol. And after giving a lot of thought, the ohio delegation decided that one of their state statues, that of former governor William Allen just wasnt the best choice. So in his place they have decided to put a statue of the great inventor thomas elva edison, who was born in myland, ohio in 1847. I want to congratulate the people of ohio for this most excellent choice. And i thank all of you for coming here today, especially those of you who came from ohio for joining us in this celebration. Thank you, everybody. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the presentation of the colors by the United States armed forces color guard, the sing of our national anthem, and the retiring of the colors. O say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the chaplain of the house of representatives of the United States gives the invocatio invocations. Let us pray. God of the universe, the light of the world, we give you thanks for the gift of life, and for the Many Blessings that life brings. Today we gather in this hallowed temple to human freedom to honor one of ohios, and americas, favorite sons. Few american figures have projected such a broad swath of influence on the worlds civilization, as thomas elva edison. His inquisitive desire and inventive imagination inspired creativity in the spirit of our human family. Many advances in science, in technology, medicine, and physics which have bettered the lives of millions were made possible by the presence of artificial light. We give you thanks for Thomas Edisons long career of invention. And for the numerous contributions to the world, including sound recording and motion pictures, which influence most profoundly artistic expression in the modern world. Compel us with your spirit to change our world for the better, and may our gathering be to your greater honor and glory, amen. Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, United States representative from the ninth district of ohio, the honorable marcy kaptur. Good afternoon. Father conroy, chaplain black, fellow members of the ohio delegation, senator brown, senator portman, majority leader mcconnell, leader pelosi, speaker ryan, and all assembled here today, what an honor it is to celebrate the legacy of Thomas Alva Edison, a native ohioan as we unveil his statue in the United States capital. Let me extend a buckeye welcome to the ohioians joining us as well as profound thanks to the many dear individuals from many walks of life whose efforts bring us to this moment. Considered one of americas greatest inventors, the life and legacy of Thomas Edison lives large among us today. Edison believed what you are will show in what you do. Thomas edison was the youngest of seven children. He was born in a small brick home with a white picket fence in 1847 in myland, ohio. A small town then, and still today, in Northern Ohio that i have had the privilege of representing during my service. Edisons early life was not the storybook character you might envision. Edison faced early hardships. Many of them. His teacher said he was, and i quote, too stupid to learn anything. In fact, he had a hearing problem resulting from a bout of scarlet fever. Thus, he was largely home schooled by his mother, nancy. Later, he failed his First College Entrance Exam and became essentially selftaught. Later edison was fired from his first two jobs for being nonproductive. Yet this genius of a human being managed to achieve 1,093 patents to his name. 1,093. Edison once observed opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. So he had a sense of humor. And work he did. He founded 14 companies, including general electric. Still one of the largest publicly traded companies worldwide. Americas greatest inventor introduced the world to what was said a little earlier the light bulb, but not just that. Power utilities, sound recording, motion pictures, all of which established new industries worldwide. Other breakthroughs included the phonograph, the telegraph and storage batteries. Still more inventions, including the stock ticker, a battery for an electric car, cement, the tattoo gun, the magnetic iron ore separator. This mans mind had full range. Thomas edison even invented the first version of the electronic vote counter for legislative bodies like congress. Edison declared our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. How inspiring those words and actions of Thomas Edisons remain today. America never succeeded by thinking small. America never thrived by giving up. Thomas alva edison always thought big, delivered big, and he always tried just one more time. His genius moved america forward. Now the oldest democratic republic on the face of the earth despite being one of the youngest nations, and we are still the largest and most dynamic economy in the world. Thank you, Thomas Alva Edison for leading america forward. Now let us follow his example. Congratulations to all. [ applause ] United States senator from ohio, the honorable robert portman. [ applause ] wonderful to be here. I love having all these distinguished buckeyes in town to celebrate Thomas Edison. Mr. Speaker, leader mcconnell, leader pelosi, speaker rosenburger, who is a surprise guest with us here today, came all the way from columbus for this occasion. And to my colleagues in the ohio delegation who i see here in the front row. My colleague in the senate, its great to have everybody together on a bipartisan effort here to hold up a great ohioan and great american. Pat teaberry hoped to be here and say a few words, because the sculptor is from hainesville, ohio. Pat passes along his congratulations. And to all of you his best wishes. The decision to hold up Thomas Edison is a symbol from ohio, is, of course, something that were all proud of today. But it was said earlier, it was the ohio delegation, it really wasnt, it was the vote of the people. The people of ohio made this decision. A couple of them are here today who helped organize it. Thank you two for being here. Talking to me about this process and getting us to this point. I know youre happy about it. I will say it was not an easy decision. We had a lot of remarkable ohioians to choose from. We had quite a few distinguished enough to be in this great hall. We have neil armstrong, and 23 other astronauts. So that was tough competition right there. Weve had eight president s to choose from. We also have had a couple guys named orville and wilbur who were in the running. So this was not easy. Were a state with a lot to be proud of. But i think we got it right. I think congresswoman kaptur said it well in terms of his background. Thomas edison was not a guy who was destined for greatness. He was near deaf. He was the son of a shingle maker and a schoolteacher. As was said earlier, he didnt do particularly well in school. As a result, he really had no formal schooling. He got bad grades. His teacher told his mom one day that he was addled. And too stupid to learn anything. Because of his disability. Interesting lesson there, isnt it. But he had something that other kids didnt have. He had an amazing work ethic. And he had this determination and perseverance and will to succeed. So he left school, but by age 14 he was already an entrepreneur. He was doing things, making things, selling newspapers and concessions on this newfangled railroad system. He was ahead of his time. At age 22 he had his first real invention, it was the electronic vote recorder which he tried unsuccessfully to sell to the United States congress. Dont you love that . Again, he was ahead of his time, wasnt he. He was a guy who just couldnt stop experimenting. And inventing. He often slept in his lab. He said one time, quote, genius is 1 inspiration and 99 perspiration. It was about hard work for him and it paid off. By the time he was 31, that nearly deaf kid who struggled in school had invented the phonograph and was making some of the first sound recordings in history. Two years later, he invested the incandescent light bulb, which, of course, we may see in a moment here, im told. I dont want to spoil it here. But the light bulb is what he is most famous for. We honor him today for all those successes. He truly changed the world. He truly represents ohio in terms of his invention and innovation. But i think even more importantly he represents those ohio values of hard work and determination and perseverance. Im sure as folks think about Thomas Edison and walk by this statue, theyre going to think about the light bulb. And i hope the members of congress who go past here, the staff and others as they go past will also be inspired by those ohio values. That propelled him to greatness. Thank you. [ applause ] United States senator from ohio, the honorable sherrod brown. [ applause ] speaker ryan, leader mcconnell, leader pelosi, and to rob portman and all of the delegation here. And allen, congratulations and thank you on this wonderful statue. I guess its wonderful, ive seen a picture of it. But thank you. It was on june 1st, 1869 that a young inventor named Thomas Alva Edison was granted his first patent. Edison was born only 50 miles from where i grew up. His first patent, as rob and marcy pointed out, was an electronic vote recorder. He came to washington where he presented his invention to a house committee. The earnest 22yearold inventor showed the committee how his electronic voting machine worked. He told them it would save time for them and for their colleagues. The Committee Chairman responded, young man, that is just what we do not want. Your invention would destroy the only hope that the minority would have of influencing legislation. As the ruling majority knows, leader, the ruling majority knows some day they may become a my forth, they will be as much averse to change as their opponents. A dejected edison stomped out of the room, promised himself he would never invent anything else that did not have a commercial purpose. 104 years later, the house of representatives installed an electronic Voting System patterned on edisons invention of 1869. And it was installed by former Cleveland Browns quarterback frank ryan, who was then a physicist at stanford university. Thats the history of the Voting System in the house of representatives. So i thought ive been looking for like 20 years at a time to use that story. What better place than right now. [ applause ] Thomas Edison is all the speakers will say, is such a fitting choice to represent ohio. He embodies the spirit of our state that continues to this day. Were a state of inventors and pioneers, of dreamers, and creators. Thomas edison lived the world. The Wright Brothers vaulted us into the skies. Kneel armstrong lifted us into the heavens. Gloria steinam from toledo is a pioneer. Tony morrison from lorraine stirred our souls. Jesse owens from cleveland sprinted into our imagination. In ohio, more than any state, no offense to wisconsin, california, or kentucky, ohio more than any state makes things. Ohio, cleveland is about to install the first offshore wind turbine in fresh water in north america. We make solar panels. In toledo, we have the most efficient steel mill in the world. In cleveland, ohio, my suit was made by Union Workers ten miles from my house. Thomas edison, americas great inventor, is not frozen in bronze, he lives on in the soul of the people of this state. His legacy will continue. Thank you. [ applause ] christine shoals and sarah laytham mccoy. [ applause ] what a name what a name what a name to live for mankind to give for mankind all the joyce of living all hes got is giving work oh way work obey never play and thoughtful and kind if america needed a king on a throne mr. Edison sits on the throne of his own man of grit stick to it never quit a real son of toil that no fame can spoil yankees all applaud him other nations laud him wears a smile all the while rank and file know his style a man of the soil there were edison from the start an Edison Monument built in these parts oh, say can you see by the light that he gives you and me what a man he is what a grand old wiz groping in the dark without him we would be theres a light tonight thats shining its his life so bright thats shining for the land of the free and the land to the sea oh, he lights the way mr. Thomas a. Edison miracle man [ applause ] the democratic leader of the United States house of representatives, the honorable nancy pelosi. [ applause ] good afternoon, everyone. This is a very special occasion indeed. Im honored to join our speaker, paul ryan, senator mitch mcconnell, leader of the senate, and the distinguished senators and congressmen who are here to celebrate this new addition to our capital. Today 85 years after his death, we welcome to the capitol the statue of one of the greatest inventors who has ever lived, Thomas Alva Edison. The wizard of menlo park. And now, marcy very clearly listed many, gave inventory to many of Thomas Edisons inventions. Senator portman talked about the work ethic that was so essential to his success. Senator brown talked about the connection between that voting card and the Cleveland Browns Football Player named ryan who was a physicist at stanford who installed the voting card here many, many years later. So ill make another california connection. As a californian, i take special delight in the connection between menlo park, new jersey, and menlo park, california. The wizard of menlo park. How fitting that menlo park, california, named years before the new Jersey Development made famous by edisons labs, is now home to the wizardry of our own time, silicon valley. None of that would have happened, though, without Thomas Edison. Again and again, the world was transformed by edisons genius, the diligence that powered discovery. He was about two things. He was about invention, and he was about discovery. Discovery of what works and what doesnt. Creativity. The heroic work ethic that brought his ideas to fruition. Technology has marved on, but edisons achievements still stir our imaginations, still touch our hearts with pride and wonder. Thomas edison, we behold the power of Applied Science and American Innovation to illuminate the world. 50 years after the invention of the incandescent bulb, at the congressional Gold Medal Ceremony here in the capital, president Calvin Coolidge said, few men have possessed to such a striking degree the blending of the imagination of the dreamer with the practical driving force of the doer. Edison, coolidge proclaimed, represents the finest tradition of our citizenship. Indeed, edison embodies the creative essence of america. Not only the invention of things, but the spirit of innovation at the soul of our national character. Innovation, entrepreneurship, discovery, creativity. Here in congress, we have a special responsibility to help sustain and advance americas leadership in innovation. We must take inventory of the ingredients needed to foster a new generation of edisons. How could there be a whole generation of edisons, but in the spirit of ed i sob. Recognizing the importance of respect for science, patience for the time it takes, investment in resources to produce breakthroughs, and remembering that for most people, innovation begins in the classroom. In this case, the classroom of his mother nancy. The statues that fill the capitol serve for more than commemoration, they are inspiration. Edison was never content to rest on his laurels. He was always relentlessly perfecting, always hungry for a new idea. He thought entrepreneurially. Let edisons presence to embrace that same determination to satisfaction and daring. And optimism. Let Thomas Edisons memory remind us of the invention innovation that keeps america number one. Thank you, ohio, for sending us Thomas Edison to the capitol. [ applause ] the majority leader of the United States senate, the honorable mitch mcconnell. [ applause ] i believe it was par a cleese who once said that famous men had the whole earth as their memorial. Im not sure about the entire planet. But Thomas Edison has sure got a lot of admirers among our 50 states. New jersey claims him as their wizard of menlo park. Michigan has its own connection. And not only does ohio have a solid stake, but the buckeyes just seriously upped the ante with this larger than life bronze statue behind us. So im staying out of that. But let me also remind everyone of kentuckys own ties to Thomas Edison. Edison was only about 19 when he moved to louisville to work as a telegraph operator. He didnt last long. Edisons interests back then tended more toward the sophomoric than the historic. He spent his time pulling pranks. Telling jokes. And blowing off work to focus on his own experiments. This hardly endeared edison to his superiors at the tell egraph company. They warned colleagues to pay no attention to edison and his inventions. When one of edisons onthejob experiments went horribly wrong, sulfuric acid ate right through the floor into his managers office. That was the last straw. Edison was promptly fired. Thus the curtain dropped on Thomas Edisons time in the blue grass state. But it also opened to a world of new possibilities. And id like to thank edisons experience in kentucky helped shape that. Heres a guy who was clearly gifted. Heres a guy who was equally uninterested in playing by anyones rules but his own. That never changed. But edisons focus did. He learned from his mistakes, he picked up the pieces and got back to the drawing board. Within a few short years of his experience in louisville, edison would go on to earn his very first patent. It was for a machine that recorded the ayes and nays here in congress. It didnt quite catch on, though. As one historian put it, they were disinclined toward anything that might interfere with their haggling and maneuvering. But many of edisons other inventions did catch on. The phonograph, the light bulb, the movie camera, and so many others. As the New York Times declared nearly a century ago, edison has stamped his pattern on our social fabric. How true that headline remains today. Just look around. From the lights illuminating this hall to the video cameras immortalizing this moment, to the devices chronicling the words we speak, all of this impacted by one inventors handiwo handiwork. Thomas edison said he believes the world owes nothing to any man, but every man owes something to the world. And he truly did give the world so much. Through his inventions he transformed our way of life. Through his genius he sparked a revolution. And even through the trying times he took away lessons he would need to become the industry changing entrepreneur we know today. The inventor was more than 1,000 patents, the talented son of myland, ohio. The pride today of so many of our 50 states. Including kentucky. [ applause ] the speaker of the United States house of representatives, the honorable paul d. Ryan. [ applause ] so, when i heard that we were unveiling a statue of Thomas Edison, my first thought was, you mean we dont already have one here . When i heard which state was sponsoring the statue, my reaction was, oh, he was born in ohio. And then after i thought it over, i realized that makes absolutely perfect sense. Ralph Waldo Emerson once argued that great men dont shape their time so much as they reflect their times. They give voice to long simmering frustrations and desires. They solve longstanding problems. They also in a funny way, they take on all the quirks and contradictions of their countrymen at their time. In other words, they are a walking embodiment of the spirit of the age. Thomas edison was absolutely no exception. Born in the middle of the 19th century, in the middle of the country, he spent his life in the middle of all the action. In his heyday, america was on the rise. America was really on fire. It seemed like we were inventing our way to prosperity. There was the railroad, the telephone, and thanks to edison the light bulb, the phonograph, the motion pictures. I mean, just any one of those inventions would have secured for a person in enduring place in history, yet he had so many of these. And yet for all of his success, and for all of his fame, he maintained a distinctly american outlook. When the serbian engineer tesla applied for a job with edison, he replied, i was thrilled to meet edison who began my American Education right then and there. I wanted to have my shoe signed, something that i thought was beneath my dignity. Edison said, you will shine the shoes yourself and you will like it. Thats exactly what tesla did. Yes, edison had this uniquely american combination. He knew both how to selfpromote and how to build a great team. He brought together the brightest minds from all over the world to work on some of the greatest inventions of their times. The team he assembled and obviously what weve been talking about the famous menlo park in new jersey, patent around 400 inventions before moving to a bigger laboratory elsewhere, on to over 1,000. So edison, with his lowkey brilliance, and his leaderdriven team building, he reflects that american contradiction, that american tradition, really, of that democratic excellence. Just as the people of ohio do. Your state has got a lot to be proud of. A lot. Cream of the crop right here today. So it only makes sense that ohio should be the ones to add this statue to our nations capitol. When edison died, henry ford urged the people at his deathbed to try to capture his dying breath in a test tube. Unfortunately you cant capture something so fleeting. But this statue does capture a hint of his character, a piece of his legacy, which will serve to inspire the thousands of americans who walk these halls every year for many years to come. Thank you, and congratulations, ohio. [ applause ] and now, i would like to invite leader mcconnell, speaker pls for the unveiling. Come on over. You guys ready . [ applause ] [ applause ] the speaker of the ohio houpts, the honorable clifford a. Rosenburger. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. [ applause ] well, i guess its true, ohio is truly the heart of it all since all our other states are taking credit. No, in all due respect, its a great honor to be here today, this afternoon. On behalf of governor kasich and the General Assembly, let me first thank speaker ryan, leader pelosi and leader mcconnell for this great honor. And its a great honor to be here to represent the 11. 5 million citizens of the greatest state of ohio. And to be a part of an event that recognizes a man who not only had a Significant Impact on ohio, but also our nation, and the entire world. Thomas edison forged a legacy and set an example that every ohioan in america can be proud of. As we observe the statue, i hope you will recognize that its brilliant simplicity is the enduring nature of a man who inspired us to dream big, set lofty goals, never settle for failure, and blanket our world with a knowledge of so much more than light. His inventions created and contributed lights, movies, telephones, and records. Yet i believe his most important invention was his example of perseverance, determination and defining success in failure. He understood the inseparable connection between them. He defined them by never giving up. Working hard, but most importantly, that it was believing in ones self that never allowed him to fail. Thomas edison is reflected is reflective of the traditions and values that has built this country, and will continue to make this the greatest nation on the face of this earth. Surrounded by statues, fellow pioneers, innovators, and trail blazers, edison will represent ohio broudly. And the spirit that is so integral that makes ohio so great. This statue will inspire young people to follow their imaginations and live up to edisons example and attitude to never settle, and success, chase it. It will allow visitors the opportunity to learn more about our rich history, and unique history, and one that stands firm in americas past as a game changer. One never to be forgotten, and one never to be overlooked. As speaker of the ohio house, i want to commend the Ohio National statuary collection Study Committee on their Selection Process and the Ohio National Statuary Commission for the selecting of sculptor allen cotrow of zanesville to create this statue. Allow me to give a sincere thanks to my fellow legislators, along with our governor, who approved the selection of the statue and cemented in our heart, in the heart of our nations capitol, a true ohio hero. Thank you very much. [ applause ] chair of the Ohio National statuary collection Study Committee, the honorable mark wagner. [ applause ] legislative leaders, all distinguished guests, today marks the end of a decadelong journey celebrating ohio history. Ten years ago, the ohio General Assembly decided to return governor William Allen back home to ohio and select a new representative for our great state in statuary hall. Sounds easy enough. But for a state that lays claim to eight u. S. President s, several chief justices, and countless legislative and military leaders, along with people who have literally changed the world through social movements, inventions, ideas, to those who broke the bounds of earths gravity, and so many others, it was not an easy task to pick just one. So, to select a fitting representative for ohio, we engaged ohioans, our Committee First solicited nominations from all of ohio, receiving more than 90 nominees. We used our discretion to eliminate only one name from consideration, famed wolverine football head coach from ohio. Nice try, michigan. After that, we conducted hearings throughout ohio. We visited oakwood to learn more about the Wright Brothers, ohio stadium where we met the wonderful daughters of jesse owens, traveled to washington courthouse to hear from High School Seniors making their case for james ashley, the father of the 13th amendment. We then willed our initial list of 90 down to 10. And we had a vote of the people. The other finalists were james ashley, the father of the 13th amendment, ulysses s. Grant, the general most responsible for winning the civil war, William Mcculloch the congressman responsible for the passage of the civil rights amendment, Harriet Beecher stow, jesse owens who stood up to the germans at the height of the tensions before world war ii, judith resnick, an astronaut we lost too soon during the challenger explosion, albert saban the inventor of the polio vaccine, harriet tailor upton who gave voice to the womans right to vote, and wilbur and orville wright. To vote, you had to visit an Ohio Historical site. The Ohio History Connection tabulated the results and Thomas Edison, life magazines man of the century, won a plurality of the votes. So here the journey ends. Along the way Thomas Edison statue has visited the ohio state house, and hometown of myland, ohio. Ohioans have had the chance to see them, and now so too will the rest of the country for years to come. To remind us all of ohios ability to reinvent the world. Thanks, tom. Weve been through a lot. Welcome to your new home. Make ohio proud. [ applause ] the chair of the ohio statuary hall commission, mr. Douglas w. Mcdonald. [ applause ] mr. Speaker, leader mcconnell, speaker pelosi, distinguished members of congress, fellow ohio statuary hall commissioners, and distinguished guests, today is the final act of a decadelong endeavor to succeed governor allens statue which has resided in this hall for 139 years with a statue of the son of ohio, Thomas Edison. Why . Why does it matter whose image enshrines the National Statuary hall in the United States capitol. Why does it matter that we have such a hall. Why . Because inspiration matters. This hall is an institution of inspiration. Its mission, like museums and Historic Sites around the world, endeavor to inspire us to do better, to aim higher, and to transform for good the natural trajectory of our civilization. In these halls, Thomas Edison inspires us as an inventor and a business person. In his often repeated words, our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time. In the u. S. Capitol, there are over 100 statues of people who have altered the natural trajectory of our civilization like edison. Across this room, one of my favorites, norman borlog. An iowa biologist, humanitarian and Nobel Laureate who saved 1 billion lives from starvation. Each of them is an inspiration. Beyond these halls, museums and history organizations seem to inspire by lifting up the stories of inspiring people who change our world for the better. In an era of fascination with personality, and fixation upon the dramatic, inspiration matters. Let us each be investors in inspiration. Investing our energies to tell the Great Stories of achievement in our nation and investing our resources in institutions of inspiration. Like the statuary hall. Like the new National Museum of africanamerican history and culture. Like all the museums and history organizations across this great nation. Why . Because inspiration matters. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, please stand as the chaplain of the United States senate, dr. Barry black, gives the benediction. Let us pray. Eternal god, creator of great lives, we praise you that inspiration does indeed matter. We thank you that lives of great people all remind us we can live our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. Lord, we praise you for the laudable labors of Thomas Alva Edison, who illuminated our world with numerous contributions and inventions. Were grateful that you brought him from humble beginnings, using him to leave the world better than he found it. Lord, thank you, that you permitted edisons setbacks to provide him with stepping stones to greater usefulness and service. As we dedicate this statue, give us the wisdom to permit our reach, to exceed our grasp in courage, perseverance and creativity. We pray in your great name, amen. Please remain in your seats for the departure of the official party. After i came up with an idea of reproductive rights, i went and researched. With the recent events id heard about in our news, i knew i could find information on that. And that would also help me figure out what points i wanted to say about it. And how to form my outline for my piece. I dont think i took a very methodical approach to this process. You could if you wanted. But i think that really with the piece as dense as this, i would say, its really just a process of reworking and reworking. So as i was trying to come up with what my actual theme was, i was doing research at the same time and i was coming up with more ideas for what i could film, and i came up with an idea like, that would be a great shot. So i think about that. And that would give me an idea of Something Else to focus on. So i would do research about that. Really, the who process is just building on other things, and scratching what doesnt work and you keep going until you finally get what is the finished product. This years theme, your message to washington, d. C. Tell us, what is the most urgent issue for the new president and congress to address in 2017. Our competition is open to all middle school or High School Students grades 6 through 12. With 100,000 awarded in cash prizes. Students can work alone or in a group of up to three to produce a five to sevenminute documentary on the issue selected. Include some cspan programming, and also explore opposing opinions. The 100,000 in cash prizes will be awarded and shared between 150 students and 53 teachers. The grand prize, 5,000 will go to the student or team with the best overall entry. This years deadline is january 20th, 2017. So mark your calendars and help
comparemela.com © 2020. All Rights Reserved.