Recognizing Robert David Laughlin

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert David Laughlin of Boalsburg in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

A lifelong central Pennsylvanian, Robert was born on March 9, 1924, in Altoona, and will be celebrating his 100th birthday this coming Saturday.

At 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was selected for officer training. He received his commission at the U.S. Naval Academy under an accelerated program for wartime midshipmen. At that time, he was one of the youngest commissioned officers in the fleet.

He served during World War II in the Pacific region as radar officer aboard the USS Pittsburgh and later aboard the USS Pasadena.

A Penn State graduate, Robert spent his career as a physicist studying electro-optical research for early airborne reconnaissance platforms and holds several U.S. patents. He later served as science adviser to the Governor of Pennsylvania under three administrations.

Most notably, he helped coordinate the initial State government response to the Three Mile Island accident in 1979.

Today, Robert is actively working on computer repairs, studying quantum physics, and spending time with his 8 grandkids and 10 great- grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Robert a happy birthday.

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