[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 425 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 425

 Expressing support for designation of May 16, 2025, as the ``National 
                            Day of Light''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 17, 2025

    Mr. Morelle (for himself and Mr. Mast) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                               Technology

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                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for designation of May 16, 2025, as the ``National 
                            Day of Light''.

Whereas the National Day of Light is aimed at raising awareness of the vital 
        role of light in our daily lives and its importance to 21st-century 
        technology and innovation;
Whereas for centuries, light-based technologies have provided solutions to 
        worldwide challenges in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, 
        telecommunications, national security, and health;
Whereas optics and photonics is the study of the fundamental properties of light 
        and harnessing them for practical applications;
Whereas light has revolutionized medicine through technologies such as x-ray 
        imaging, laser surgery, and cancer treatments;
Whereas light has transformed communication via the internet, a tool we cannot 
        imagine living without today;
Whereas light has helped us improve transportation safety with sensors in 
        vehicles and advanced infrastructure monitoring;
Whereas light has greatly enhanced the ability of the United States to gather 
        intelligence, defend the Nation, and protect its troops in the field;
Whereas most of what we have observed in the universe is known only through 
        light-based technologies, first from the visible wavelengths observed by 
        Galileo into x-ray, infrared, and radio waves, and even gravitational 
        waves detected by lasers;
Whereas advanced manufacturing is possible due to light-based technologies that 
        can provide custom, precise, and high-added value through means such as 
        additive manufacturing;
Whereas quantum computing, sensing, and communication systems are largely 
        enabled by light-based technologies;
Whereas through the National Quantum Initiative Act (Public Law 115-368), the 
        United States is accelerating our investment in quantum information 
        science and the development of commercially available quantum-based 
        technologies, thereby facilitating growth in the economy of the United 
        States and protecting our national security;
Whereas 2025 is the 40-year anniversary of the invention of chirped pulse 
        amplification, a technique used to amplify ultrashort laser pulses that 
        was recognized with the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics and has become the 
        basis of all modern high-power lasers, enabling revolutionary 
        applications of ultraintense light including LASIK laser eye surgery, 
        cancer treatment, commercial laser materials processing, fundamental 
        physics research, and ultrafast imaging including attosecond science; 
        and
Whereas May 16 is already recognized internationally as the Day of Light: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of a ``National Day of 
        Light'';
            (2) recognizes the continuing importance of the United 
        States as the world leader in light-based science and 
        technologies;
            (3) recognizes the importance of inspiring the next 
        generation of scientists, researchers, innovators, technicians, 
        and entrepreneurs; and
            (4) encourages schools, community colleges, and 
        universities to observe the day with appropriate activities.
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