Technology Administration
For Immediate Release     July 16, 2007	Contacts:	Richard Mills/Dan Nelson Department of Commerce Public Affairs (202) 482-4883 Marjorie.Weisskohl Technology Administration Public Affairs 202-482-0149

Secretary Gutierrez Congratulates National Medal of Technology Innovators
in Electronics, Medicine, National Security, Optics, and Communications Industries

President to Honor Innovators in Electronics, Medicine, National Security, Optics, and Communication Industries

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez today congratulated the 2006 National Medal of Technology Laureates who were announced by the White House this afternoon. The Secretary hailed the five Laureates as leaders of U.S. technological advancement, whose combined achievements have helped put the U.S. in a position of technological strength.

“These individuals are some of the most innovative minds in America,” said Secretary Gutierrez. “Technology plays a critical role in our nation’s economic strength and high standard of living. Today we pay tribute to these five leaders who have lead the way in keeping the U.S. on the cutting edge of technological innovation. Not only have they done everything from improving the health of our nation to keeping our nation more secure; they have inspired future generations of American inventors, discoverers, teachers and innovators.

Following the recent announcement of the 2005 Laureates, a joint ceremony honoring the 2005 and 2006 Science and Technology Laureates will take place at the White House on July 27. The combined NMT Laureates list for this ceremony includes seven individuals, one team, and three companies.

The National Medal of Technology Laureates for 2006 are:

• Leslie A. Geddes, Showalter Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Bioengineering at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. Dr. Geddes will be recognized “for contributions to electrode design and tissue restoration that have led to the widespread use of numerous clinical devices. His discoveries and inventions have saved and enriched thousands of lives and have formed the cornerstone of much of the modern implantable medical device field.”
• Paul G. Kaminski, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Technovation, Inc., Fairfax Station, Va. Dr. Kaminski will be recognized “for contributions to the national security through the development of advanced, unconventional imaging from space, and for developing and fielding advanced systems with greatly enhanced survivability. As a result he has made a profound difference in the national security posture and the global leadership of the United States.”
• Herwig Kogelnik, Adjunct Photonics Systems Research Vice President, Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs, Murray Hill, N.J. Dr. Kogelnik will be honored “for pioneering contributions and leadership in the development of the technology of lasers, optoelectronics, integrated optics, and lightwave communication systems that have been instrumental in driving the tremendous capacity growth of fiber optic transmission systems for our national communications infrastructure.”
• Charles M. Vest, Former President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. Dr. Vest is being recognized “for his visionary leadership in advancing America's technological workforce and capacity for innovation through revitalizing the national partnership among academia, government and industry.”
• James Edward West, Research Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Md. Dr. West will be recognized “for co-inventing the electret microphone while working with Gerhard Sessler at Bell Labs in 1962. Ninety percent of the two billion microphones produced annually and used in everyday items such as telephones, hearing aids, camcorders, and multimedia computers employ electret technology.”

The National Medal of Technology, given by the President since 1985 as the Nation’s highest award for technological innovation, was mandated by Congress in 1980 to recognize the significant contributions that America's leading innovators have made to the Nation's economic strength and standard of living.

A distinguished, independent committee appointed by the Secretary of Commerce evaluates the merits of all candidates nominated through an open, competitive solicitation process. Committee recommendations are forwarded to the Secretary, who makes recommendations to the President for a final decision. The Commerce Department’s Technology Administration administers the National Medal of Technology program. Additional information is available at http://www.technology.gov/medal/.

White House Press Release

The primary mission of the Technology Administration (TA) is to maximize the competitiveness and innovation of the U.S. technology industry and its contribution to America’s economic growth and global leadership. For more information, visit the home page at www.technology.gov.

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