President Presents Highest Awards for Science, Technology Achievement
Remarks by the President at Presentation of the National Medals of Science and the National Medals of Technology
East Room
2:20 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Thank you all very much, and
welcome to the White House. It is a -- it's an honor to be with so
many incredibly bright and innovative people.
I want to welcome the winners; I want to welcome your family
members; I want to welcome your friends; and I want to welcome those of
us who are just happy to be in your presence. (Laughter.) The science
and technology leaders here today have turned genius and persistence
into knowledge, technology that will shape lives for decades to come.
And that must make you feel pretty darn good.
Our honorees are the prophets of a better age -- seeing the
future before a lot of folks don't see the present. They have earned
these medals, and as they do so, they earn the thanks of their fellow
Americans.
I want to thank the Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, who will be
here to administer -- who is here to administer the National Medal of
Technology. I want to thank Secretary Rod Paige, the Secretary of
Education. I want to thank the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, Dr. John Marburger, for the fine job he is doing on
behalf of the country. John, thank you for coming.
I want to thank the members of the United States Congress who are
here. I appreciate you all being here to cheer on the recipients from
your districts.
The medals we present today are the highest honors -- the highest
honors -- a President can bestow in the fields of science and
technology. And today's honorees have earned this recognition with
their tireless work.
Some of the honorees are learning how to battle cancer with new
therapies. Others are advancing our understanding of the Earth and the
sun. Others are creating new methods for analyzing data. All of our
honorees, and their colleagues throughout the United States, are asking
questions whose answers will improve lives not only here at home, but
around the world.
Science and -- scientific and technological research are a high
calling for any individual. And promoting research is an important
role of our federal government. I'm pleased that this year's budget
includes the most research and development funding in the history of
our country. We'll continue to support science and technology because
innovation makes America stronger. Innovation helps Americans to live
longer, healthier and happier lives. Innovation helps our economy
grow, and helps people find work. Innovation strengthens our national
defense and our homeland security, and we need a strong national
defense and homeland security as we fight people who hate America
because we're free.
President Franklin Roosevelt's science advisor was a fellow named
Vannevar Bush. He doesn't claim me, and I don't claim him.
(Laughter.) But here's what he says. He said, "Without scientific
progress, the national health would deteriorate. Without scientific
progress, we could not hope for improvement in our standard of living,
or an increased number of jobs for our citizens. Without scientific
progress, we could not have maintained our liberties against tyranny."
What Vannevar Bush said back then is true today.
Scientists and researchers do vital work. And they oftentimes do
it outside the limelight. It's a good thing to shine the light here in
the White House. Their influence extends beyond laboratories. It
reaches into hospitals and homes and classrooms. And as importantly,
your work inspires young Americans who study past scientific
breakthroughs in order to chart their own paths of discovery.
The world of our children will be shaped by the people we honor
today. On behalf of all Americans, I want to thank you for your
lifelong commitment to making our world a better place.
In a few moments, Secretary Evans will help me present the National
Medals of Technology, but first I ask Dr. Marburger to come to the
stage to assist me with the presentation of the 2001 National Medals of
Science.