[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13] [Senate] [Pages 17434-17435] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO EAGLE-PICHER TECHNOLOGIES Mr. BOND. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I rise to celebrate Eagle-Picher Technologies, LLC, on the company's ``One Billionth Hour'' in space as represented by the superior batteries the firm designs and builds and that power U.S. satellites. Recognizing the need for custom designed and built batteries, the technologies division at Eagle-Picher works on a variety of batteries for aerospace and military use, which the company calls special use batteries. The company's technology division, based in Joplin, MO., continues a tradition that stretches back to the 1960s when Eagle- Picher provided power systems for the first United States satellites and the manned Mercury program. Today, EaglePicher nickel-hydrogen cells are powering spacecraft orbiting Earth and beyond. I commend Eagle Picher, its leadership and its dedicated employees in Missouri on their commitment to maintaining the highest [[Page 17435]] standards while breaking new ground for power systems and advanced electrical power system applications. I am pleased to join with the Joplin community and the State of Missouri in congratulating the company and wishing the firm's valued employees with continued growth and success. ____________________