    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 12, 2002]
    [Pages 1221-1223]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the Recipients of the 2001 Presidential Early Career Awards
    for Scientists and Engineers
    July 12, 2002

        Well, thank you all very much for coming today. It's a privilege to
    welcome our country's best minds to the White House. Today it is my
    honor, high honor to welcome the men and women receiving the 2001
    Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers.
        I want to thank you all for coming. I appreciate so very much the
    first steps in the careers of discovery that you've taken. And the
    amazing thing is, your colleagues already recognize the great potential
    of your work. Dr. Marburger was telling me that it was only 5 years ago
    that a person who had--who received an award that you're receiving today
    became a Nobel laureate. Maybe I'm looking at another Nobel laureate or
    two here. [Laughter]
        You need to know that the breakthroughs that you have made will make
    life better for all Americans. Your explorations will expand our
    understanding of the world, and that's important. Your innovations will
    help America stay at the forefront of technological development for
    decades to come.
        Most Americans may not understand all you do and all the details of
    your work. But we understand your promise and your commitment and your
    dedication. And we're grateful for it, so thanks for coming.
        I appreciate Larry Lindsey, my Director of
    the National Economic Council, and Jack Marburger, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
    Policy, for spearheading this event. I want to thank a couple of my
    Cabinet Secretaries who are here: Ann Veneman of
    Agriculture and Spence Abraham of Energy.
    Thank you both for your service.
        I appreciate Rita Colwell, as Director
    of the National Science Foundation, for being here, for her work. I want
    to thank Elias Zerhouni from the NIH for
    being here. Dr. Zerhouni is--we plucked him out of the private sector to
    serve our country, and he's doing a fine job. I just want to remind
    everybody that the commitment we made

    [[Page 1222]]

    that we would double the budget in the NIH has been completed, and I
    appreciate your leadership there, Dr. Zerhouni.
        I want to thank Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher of--the Administrator of NOAA, National
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. I want to thank Dr. Arden
    Bement, the Director of the National
    Institute of Standards and Technology--Arden, thank you very much, sir--
    John Hopps, the Deputy Director of the Defense
    Research and Engineering at the Department of Defense. I want to thank
    James Burris, the Deputy Chief Research and
    Development Officer of the Veterans Health Administration, and Shannon
    Lucid, who is the Chief Scientist of NASA.
        The reason I mention these fine folks is that they all picked you.
    So when you see them at the reception--[laughter]--be nice to them.
    [Laughter]
        I want to welcome the family member or friend that you picked to
    come here. I'm sorry the room is so small. I suspect we could have
    accommodated a lot more people if we had a bigger room. But Dr.
    Marburger told me that at the
    reception other family members will be there. Please give them my best,
    and sorry I couldn't extol your virtues in front of them, in their
    person. But I want to welcome you all as well to the White House. It's
    quite a place to go to work, as I'm sure you can imagine. And I hope you
    recognize it's quite a place to receive an award too.
        The honorees are--you're serving America; that's what you're doing.
    And you're doing so in the best of--in the best of the public interest.
    And for that, we're grateful.
        You're learning how the smallest known particles operate and
    interact. You're laying down the foundation for new methods of
    diagnosing and treating cancer and heart disease, doing research to
    protect Americans against threats posed by chemical weapons. You're
    exploring the unchartered territory of the human mind.
        Your work advances important national goals. And accomplishing these
    goals requires the cooperation amongst scientists and engineers in our
    universities, our Government agencies, and, of course, in the private
    sector.
        This award is a statement of our confidence, the Nation's confidence
    and the tremendous good that can come when the American Government
    supports the genius of the American people.
        My administration is continuing a great tradition. Whether finding
    cures for diseases or learning how to better predict natural disasters
    or developing information technology that unites the world, Government-
    funded basic research expands knowledge and learning and helps our
    people to live longer and healthier and more satisfying lives. We are
    committed to basic research from the Federal Government. And we will
    keep that commitment so long as we're here.
        Innovation is one of our greatest national strengths. It drives our
    economy. It helps protect our environment. And the truth of the matter
    is, it improves lives all across the globe. In all of your work, you're
    contributing to the strength of America and to the well-being of our
    people.
        You probably have become scientists or engineers because you're
    motivated by the thrill of discovery--I suspect that's the case--or by
    the quest to push outward the bounds of human knowledge. And many of you
    will make significant discoveries. It probably won't be household
    names--not all that bad, I might add. [Laughter] But Americans will know
    your work because it will touch their lives, and I hope you understand
    that that in itself is a great honor and a great accomplishment.
        You'll blaze the trail for others who will build on your successes
    and then, of course, discover their own. That's the wonders of science
    and engineering.
        I appreciate the fact that many of you are already inspiring young
    boys and girls

    [[Page 1223]]

    to explore their interest in science and engineering. That in itself is
    an incredibly important contribution to our country, to excite
    youngsters about the promise and hope of science and promise and hope of
    engineering. By involving students in your work and creating
    opportunities for young Americans to learn about career opportunities in
    the sciences, you're opening minds and opening doors to future
    researchers. Your impact will be felt for decades to come, and that's
    why I've come to speak to you.
        So on behalf of all Americans, I want to thank you for your
    commitment to improving lives and exploring new horizons. I congratulate
    you for your hard work. I urge you not to stop, to keep using your God-
    given talents and your God-given genius to make the world better for all
    of us.
        May God bless your work, and God bless America. Congratulations.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:10 a.m. in Room 450 of the Dwight D.
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building.