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; and Whereas May 16 is already recognized internationally as the Day of Light: Now, therefore, be it