Recognizing Professor Barry Barish for Receiving the National Medal of Science

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Professor Barry Barish of University of California, Riverside, for receiving the National Medal of Science from President Biden in honor of his great achievements and invaluable contributions to the field of particle physics.

The citation for his award reads ``For exemplary service to science, including groundbreaking research on sub-atomic particles. His leadership of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory led to the first detection of gravitational waves from merging black holes, confirming a key part of Einstein's Theory of Relativity. He has broadened our understanding of the universe and our Nation's sense of wonder and discovery.''

In addition, Professor Barish was awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in physics in recognition of his leadership in the discovery of gravitational waves--first predicted by Einstein a century earlier. Professor Barish is currently faculty at University of California, Riverside, in the Department of Physics and Astronomy where he was instrumental in recruiting and developing a new group of faculty focused on the broad field of experimental cosmology.

These young faculty are conducting cutting edge research exploring the universe using gravitational waves, searching for dark matter, using the smallest known particles to probe the origin of matter in the universe, and studying the earliest light leftover from the big bang to understand how the universe formed. This group now plays leading roles in international experiments exploring this groundbreaking science and is developing novel instruments that will lead the way for future scientific endeavors for years to come. This research group is also training the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The skills that students learn will prepare them to be future leaders in research and industry alike, becoming experts in emerging technologies like semiconductors and quantum sensors, and they will be prepared to grow these vital industries.

I commend Professor Barish for his remarkable achievements in science and teaching and his work training the next generation of scientists at University of California, Riverside. May their work continue to illuminate the mysteries of the universe and inspire us all to reach for the stars.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source