Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-09-16

HONORING THE 2026 INDUCTEES TO THE FLORIDA INVENTORS HALL OF FAME

HealthcareEnvironmentForeign PolicyDefenseInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-09-16, Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE 2026 INDUCTEES TO THE FLORIDA INVENTORS HALL OF FAME" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING THE 2026 INDUCTEES TO THE FLORIDA INVENTORS HALL OF FAME

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E938-E939] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE 2026 INDUCTEES TO THE FLORIDA INVENTORS HALL OF FAME ______ HON. KATHY CASTOR of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, I rise today to honor the ten inventors selected as the 2026 Inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. The 2026 Inductees are inventors who were nominated by their peers nationwide and evaluated through the rigorous review of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Selection Committee. They are being recognized for innovations that significantly impact the quality of life, economic development, and welfare of their communities, the residents of Florida and the United States. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in 2013 at the University of South Florida and formally recognized by the Florida Senate through Senate Joint Resolution 1756, adopted on April 30, 2014. As our Nation marks 250 years of independence, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame carries that spirit of ingenuity forward by catalyzing the cycle of discovery and innovation across the state of Florida by recognizing pioneering inventors, empowering future problem-solvers and changemakers, and propelling the American legacy of innovation through transformative experiences and meaningful storytelling. Nomination to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is open to all Florida inventors, living or deceased, who are or have been residents of Florida. Nominees must be named inventors on a patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and their inventions must have made a significant impact on society through commercialization, utilization, or the innovations they inspired. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame proudly celebrates the 2026 class of Inductees whose inventions have helped shape the American story. Their achievements underscore the critical role that innovation has played in driving progress for two and a half centuries, strengthening our economy and enhancing our Nation's global competitiveness. The 2026 Inductees collectively hold more than 300 United States patents, representing industry, academia, technology and medical/health institutions. Since its founding, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame has inducted 96 inventors, who collectively hold over 6,000 United States patents. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the residents of Florida, I am proud to honor the 2026 Inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame for this outstanding achievement. As the United States marks 250 years since its founding, innovation remains at the heart of the American story, and Florida continues to help write its next chapter. I applaud these accomplished inventors, and the institutions and communities that support them, for their tireless pursuit of discoveries that improve lives and expand what is possible. It is because of the vision and perseverance of inventors like these that future generations will be encouraged to reach beyond their limits and extend the boundaries of innovation. I include in the Record the following list of 2026 Inductees: Reza Abdolvand: Professor and Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Central Florida, who is recognized for significant contributions to MEMS-based timing and sensing technologies that power high-speed communications, 5G networks, and connected devices, enabling the infrastructure of the modern digital world. Clara Rivero Baleine: Lockheed Martin Fellow at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, who is recognized for breakthrough developments to gradient refractive index [[Page E939]] optical materials and metamaterial coatings that transformed infrared sensing systems, enabling compact, high-performance technologies across defense and advanced photonics applications. Ni-Bin Chang: Professor of Environmental Systems Engineering, and Director of the Stormwater Management Academy at the University of Central Florida, who is recognized for the groundbreaking development of green sorption media, and advancing sustainable water treatment technologies that remove contaminants, improve water quality, and enable scalable environmental solutions across infrastructure systems. Mark A. Frankie: Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at Florida Orthopaedic Institute, and Clinical Professor at the University of South Florida's Morsani College of Medicine, who is recognized for revolutionizing shoulder joint arthroplasty through reverse prosthesis design, restoring function for hundreds of thousands of patients and transforming orthopedic surgery worldwide. Patrick Hwu: President and Chief Executive Officer of Moffitt Cancer Center, and Professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Florida's Morsani College of Medicine, who is recognized for pioneering chimeric receptor gene technologies that enabled CAR T-cell therapies, transforming cancer treatment and advancing targeted immunotherapy for patients worldwide. S.S. Iyengar: Distinguished University Professor, Ryder Professor, and Director of the United States Army-funded Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics at Florida International University, who is recognized for foundational contributions to sensor fusion and intelligent systems that power modern computing, advancing critical applications in national defense, disaster modeling, and healthcare technologies. Donald K. Jones: Chief Executive Officer of Empirilon Technology, LLC, who is recognized for pioneering innovations in neurovascular and endoscopic medical devices, enabling minimally invasive procedures that improved patient outcomes and transformed treatment of stroke and gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Donald B. Keck: Professor at the University of South Florida's Institute for Advanced Discovery & Innovation, and former Vice President and Research Director at Corning Incorporated, who is recognized for the landmark invention of low-loss optical fiber technologies that revolutionized global communications, replaced copper transmission systems, and enabled the high-speed data networks that power today's interconnected digital world. Maynard ``Mike'' Ramsey, III: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Cardio Command, Inc., and Founder of Ramsey Medical, Inc., who is recognized for foundational advances in patient monitoring technologies that transformed modern medicine, enabling continuous automatic measurement of noninvasive blood pressure, improving outcomes in hospitals, clinics, and home care. Subrata Roy: Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida, and Founding Director of the Applied Physics Research Group, and Founder and President of SurfPlasma, Inc., who is recognized for pioneering innovations in plasma-based technologies enabling breakthroughs in aerospace efficiency, sterilization, and environmental systems) transforming applications in healthcare, food safety, water treatment, and space exploration. ____________________

Referenced legislation: SJRES1756

View original source →

HONORING THE 2026 INDUCTEES TO THE FLORIDA INVENTORS HALL OF FAME Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E938-E939] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE 2026 INDUCTEES TO THE FLORIDA INVENTORS HALL OF FAME ______ HON. KATHY CASTOR of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, I rise today to honor the ten inventors selected as the 2026 Inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. The 2026 Inductees are inventors who were nominated by their peers nationwide and evaluated through the rigorous review of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Selection Committee. They are being recognized for innovations that significantly impact the quality of life, economic development, and welfare of their communities, the residents of Florida and the United States. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in 2013 at the University of South Florida and formally recognized by the Florida Senate through Senate Joint Resolution 1756, adopted on April 30, 2014. As our Nation marks 250 years of independence, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame carries that spirit of ingenuity forward by catalyzing the cycle of discovery and innovation across the state of Florida by recognizing pioneering inventors, empowering future problem-solvers and changemakers, and propelling the American legacy of innovation through transformative experiences and meaningful storytelling. Nomination to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is open to all Florida inventors, living or deceased, who are or have been residents of Florida. Nominees must be named inventors on a patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and their inventions must have made a significant impact on society through commercialization, utilization, or the innovations they inspired. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame proudly celebrates the 2026 class of Inductees whose inventions have helped shape the American story. Their achievements underscore the critical role that innovation has played in driving progress for two and a half centuries, strengthening our economy and enhancing our Nation's global competitiveness. The 2026 Inductees collectively hold more than 300 United States patents, representing industry, academia, technology and medical/health institutions. Since its founding, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame has inducted 96 inventors, who collectively hold over 6,000 United States patents. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the residents of Florida, I am proud to honor the 2026 Inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame for this outstanding achievement. As the United States marks 250 years since its founding, innovation remains at the heart of the American story, and Florida continues to help write its next chapter. I applaud these accomplished inventors, and the institutions and communities that support them, for their tireless pursuit of discoveries that improve lives and expand what is possible. It is because of the vision and perseverance of inventors like these that future generations will be encouraged to reach beyond their limits and extend the boundaries of innovation. I include in the Record the following list of 2026 Inductees: Reza Abdolvand: Professor and Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Central Florida, who is recognized for significant contributions to MEMS-based timing and sensing technologies that power high-speed communications, 5G networks, and connected devices, enabling the infrastructure of the modern digital world. Clara Rivero Baleine: Lockheed Martin Fellow at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, who is recognized for breakthrough developments to gradient refractive index [[Page E939]] optical materials and metamaterial coatings that transformed infrared sensing systems, enabling compact, high-performance technologies across defense and advanced photonics applications. Ni-Bin Chang: Professor of Environmental Systems Engineering, and Director of the Stormwater Management Academy at the University of Central Florida, who is recognized for the groundbreaking development of green sorption media, and advancing sustainable water treatment technologies that remove contaminants, improve water quality, and enable scalable environmental solutions across infrastructure systems. Mark A. Frankie: Chief of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at Florida Orthopaedic Institute, and Clinical Professor at the University of South Florida's Morsani College of Medicine, who is recognized for revolutionizing shoulder joint arthroplasty through reverse prosthesis design, restoring function for hundreds of thousands of patients and transforming orthopedic surgery worldwide. Patrick Hwu: President and Chief Executive Officer of Moffitt Cancer Center, and Professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Florida's Morsani College of Medicine, who is recognized for pioneering chimeric receptor gene technologies that enabled CAR T-cell therapies, transforming cancer treatment and advancing targeted immunotherapy for patients worldwide. S.S. Iyengar: Distinguished University Professor, Ryder Professor, and Director of the United States Army-funded Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics at Florida International University, who is recognized for foundational contributions to sensor fusion and intelligent systems that power modern computing, advancing critical applications in national defense, disaster modeling, and healthcare technologies. Donald K. Jones: Chief Executive Officer of Empirilon Technology, LLC, who is recognized for pioneering innovations in neurovascular and endoscopic medical devices, enabling minimally invasive procedures that improved patient outcomes and transformed treatment of stroke and gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Donald B. Keck: Professor at the University of South Florida's Institute for Advanced Discovery & Innovation, and former Vice President and Research Director at Corning Incorporated, who is recognized for the landmark invention of low-loss optical fiber technologies that revolutionized global communications, replaced copper transmission systems, and enabled the high-speed data networks that power today's interconnected digital world. Maynard ``Mike'' Ramsey, III: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Cardio Command, Inc., and Founder of Ramsey Medical, Inc., who is recognized for foundational advances in patient monitoring technologies that transformed modern medicine, enabling continuous automatic measurement of noninvasive blood pressure, improving outcomes in hospitals, clinics, and home care. Subrata Roy: Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida, and Founding Director of the Applied Physics Research Group, and Founder and President of SurfPlasma, Inc., who is recognized for pioneering innovations in plasma-based technologies enabling breakthroughs in aerospace efficiency, sterilization, and environmental systems) transforming applications in healthcare, food safety, water treatment, and space exploration. ____________________ Referenced legislation: SJRES1756