[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7438]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   NATIONAL MEDAL OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, it is with great honor and privilege 
that I congratulate Dr. Robert T. Fraley, a member of the Monsanto team 
of scientists, on receiving the National Medal of Technology Award for 
developing biotechnology that will help meet the global agricultural 
challenges of the Twenty-First Century.
  Dr. Robert T. Fraley is the co-President of the Agricultural Sector 
of Monsanto, and has worked extensively on the integration of 
Monsanto's chemical, biotech and seed businesses. He earned his 
Doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry in 1978, from the University 
of Illinois. Among his accomplishments, Dr. Fraley was a member of the 
science team that developed the world's first practical system to 
introduce foreign genes into crop plants. He continues to work on new 
improved methods in agriculture through his contributions in the 
development of insect and herbicide resistant plants.
  Agriculture is the foundation of many countries' economies, and 
consequently, the majority of the world's population makes its living 
in agriculture and food-based activities. Transforming these 
agricultural economies is important to achieving broad-based economic 
growth, not only in the United States, but worldwide. In this respect, 
investments in new agricultural technologies will increase farmer 
incomes, promote food security, advance other critical development 
initiatives, and contribute to environmental improvements. Agricultural 
biotechnology was first introduced to farms in 1995, and today in the 
United States, there are over 53 million acres of biotech crops.
  As global food demand continues to increase, there is an immediate 
need to develop new agriculture tools that are productive and 
sustainable. With the use of new agricultural biotechnologies, 
genetically enhanced seeds are already decreasing pest infestation, 
increasing crop yields, and reducing the need for pesticides. I believe 
that these new farming methods offer tremendous potential for farmers 
and consumers from an agronomic, economic, and environmental 
standpoint. As a result, our rural economies are strengthened, and our 
agricultural products are becoming more competitive in the global 
market.
  I rise today to acknowledge and commend Dr. Robert Fraley and the 
Monsanto team of researchers for their excellent work. They have played 
a critical role in the pioneering of gene transfer technology and plant 
regeneration which began more than 15 years ago. As a result of their 
relentless pursuit of a vision, their development of agricultural 
biotechnology, as a science and as an industry, will continue to keep 
the United States at the forefront of food production.
  Dr. Fraley and the Monsanto team of scientists are visionaries in 
their quest to improve the quality of life. Their perseverance, 
commitment, and dedication to science is an inspiration for others to 
reach their ``highest and best.'' I wish them continued success as they 
guide us on a revolutionary path into the Twenty-First Century.

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