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Skriven 2005-03-14 23:33:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (050314) for Mon, 2005 Mar 14
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President Presents National Medals of Science and Technology
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 14, 2005

President Presents National Medals of Science and Technology
The East Room

President's Remarks
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10:24 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. Welcome to the White House.
It's an honor to be in the company of so many bright and distinguished
Americans. All of you have been blessed with great talent and you have
applied your talent to great purposes. Your work is making our country more
competitive, more hopeful, and more prosperous. On behalf of a grateful
nation, congratulations for earning the National Medals of Science and
Technology.

I want to welcome your families and friends who are here with you. I know
your family members are equally proud of your accomplishment. I appreciate
Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez joining us; Dr. Jack Marburger,
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy; Phil Bond; Arden
Bement; members of the National Science Foundation; members of the board of
the National Science and Technology Medals Foundation -- they'd be the
reason you're here -- (laughter) -- previous recipients of the National
Medals of Science and Technology.

I want to thank the members of Congress who have joined us: Senator Barbara
Mikulski of Maryland is with us; Congressman Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland;
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey of California who is coming; Judy Biggert,
Congresswoman from Illinois; Congressman Rick Larsen of Washington; and
Congresswoman Katherine Harris of Florida.

Over the years, the East Room has hosted some of the White House's most
memorable events. Long before any President held an awards ceremony here,
it was the home to Thomas Jefferson's secretary, Meriwether Lewis -- not a
bad place for a guy to camp out. (Laughter.) He didn't stay here long,
because in 1803, President Jefferson gave him a new assignment, a daring
mission to explore the West. The President also gave him a letter of
unlimited government credit to cover every possible expense. Disappointed
to say, your medal doesn't come with such presidential decree. (Laughter.)

Over the centuries, the same passion for discovery that drove Lewis and
Clarke to the Pacific has also led bold Americans to master the miracle of
flight, to conquer dreaded diseases, and explore the frontiers of space. To
reward and encourage America's spirit of innovation, Congress created the
National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology. These are the
most prestigious honors the President can bestow for achievement in science
and technology. Today, I am proud to recognize a diverse and deserving
group of American citizens, what we call pioneers.

The laureates we honor today have made new and lasting contributions in
fields from mathematics to behavioral science, to geology, to genetics.
You've discovered new clues about the behavior of viruses, the workings of
the human mind, and the shape of the universe. Many of your breakthroughs
are changing entire industries, from airline safety to chemical production,
to computer software and networking. Your efforts to improve energy
development and expand health care technology and reduce auto pollution are
bringing the promise of a better future to people all around our globe.

Your experiences vary widely; yet all of you share some common traits. As
innovators, you heard a calling to challenge the status quo. You weren't
afraid to ask important questions. You applied rigorous standards to your
research. I suspect some of you suffered some setbacks, yet you didn't get
discouraged. You followed where the evidence led. You revised your methods,
but not your ambitions. And through a lifetime of hard work, you have
produced accomplishments that will endure beyond your years.

For most of you, the journey of this day began when someone engaged your
curiosity -- a schoolteacher, or a parent, or a caring adult in your
community. As your interest grew, you found a mentor in your field, a
generous soul who added to your experience and raised your sights. Many of
you have repaid that debt by devoting a part of your career to teaching,
and I want to thank you for that. I appreciate the fine example that you
have set for aspiring young scientists, like those from Benjamin Banneker
High School who are with us, or the Intel Science Talent Search folks who
have joined us from all around our country. I want to welcome you all here.
I appreciate you witnessing this important ceremony.

As you go on to greater accomplishments, I hope our recipients will
continue to foster and encourage the scientists and technological leaders
of tomorrow. By pursuing your curiosity, all of you have achieved historic
results. You bring credit to yourselves, to your families, and to our
country. You have our country's gratitude. You have earned our respect.

Once again, thank you for coming to the White House. Congratulations for
your awards. The Military Aide will read the citations, and afterwards, I
hope you will join us in a reception -- back there. (Laughter.)

Read the words, please. (Applause.)

END 10:40 A.M. EST
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