OSA NEWS

May 3, 2004

Commerce Secretary Issues Call for Nominations for Nation’s Highest Honor in Technological Innovation

Commerce Secretary Don Evans today issued the Call for Nominations for the 2005 National Medal of Technology awards, the nation’s highest honor awarded by the President to America’s leading technological innovators.

“Through the National Medal of Technology, the President recognizes the importance of innovation, technological inventions and American ingenuity in expanding the nation’s economy, increasing our standard of living and making this world a better place. But as a nation, we must not stop there. These laureates are exemplary role models for tomorrow’s innovators.”

Echoing President Bush, Secretary Evans hailed America as a land of entrepreneurs. “Entrepreneurs and small businesses are among our most important sources of new technologies. When an entrepreneur can flourish, minds can expand, and technologies can reach new frontiers,” said Evans.

Secretary Evans encouraged this year’s nominators to consider the high-impact contributions which colleagues, mentors or associates have made in areas such as:

• Technology Product and Process
• Technology Management and Policy
• Technology Concepts
• Technology and Technological Manpower Development
• Environmental Technology

The deadline for submitting 2005 nominations is Wednesday, July 28, 2004. Nomination forms and guidelines may be downloaded from the National Medal of Technology Web site at www.technology.gov/Medal/Nomination.htm and should be submitted by e-mail to the address provided.

Established by an act of Congress in 1980, the Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985. The Medal is given annually to individuals, teams and/or companies/divisions for accomplishments in the innovation, development, commercialization and management of technology as evidenced by the establishment of new or significantly improved products, processes or services.

Questions should be addressed to Mildred Porter, Director, National Medal of Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 4843, Washington, D.C. 20230, Tel: 202-482-5572, or by e-mail: nmt@technology.gov