H.Res. 1296

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1296 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1296

Expressing support for the designation of May 16, 2026, as the 
``National Day of Light''.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 15, 2026

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 the designation of May 16, 2026, 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 chirped pulse amplification, a technique used to amplify ultrashort 
laser pulses, 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;
Whereas 2026 marks the 50-year anniversary of the compact fluorescent lamp, an 
United States innovation that transformed energy-efficient lighting and 
changed how homes, schools, workplaces, and public buildings across the 
United States are illuminated; 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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