"The National Medal of Technology is awarded to Raymond Kurzweil, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kurzweil Technologies, Inc., for pioneering and innovative achievements in computer science such as voice recognition which have overcome many barriers and enriched the lives of disabled persons and all Americans."

The National Medal of Technology, established by Congress in 1980 and administered by the Department of Commerce, recognizes technological innovation and advancement of the nation's global competitiveness, as well as ground-breaking contributions that commercialize a technology, create jobs, improve productivity, or stimulate the nation's growth and development in other ways. To date, 110 individuals and 11 companies have been honored with this award.

The Secretary of Commerce, William Daley, the President's Science Advisor, Neal Lane, and the National Science Foundation's director, Rita Colwell, honored the Awardees at a black-tie banquet on March 13, 2000. President Clinton bestowed the actual medals the next day in a formal White House ceremony in the East Room.

"We honor these exceptional U.S. scientists and engineers for their achievements, contributions, and innovations that have sustained U.S. leadership across the frontiers of scientific and technological knowledge, thereby enhancing our ability to shape and improve our nation's future," said President Clinton.