Celebrating the spirit of discovery in Massachusetts : Quincentennial dinner October 9, 1992

20 Pages·1992·1.1 MB·English

by  Massachusetts Christopher Columbus Quincentennial Commission

C
Hffn- VS. Cji^h'-
UMASS/AMHERST
Celebrating the
Spirit oflDiscovery
in CMassachusetts
^luincentennial Thinner
CELEBRATE DISCOVERY
(^Massachusetts Christopher Columbus
^luincentennial Commission
Digitized by tlie Internet Archive
2015
in
https://archive.org/details/celebratingspiriOOmass
CELEBRATE DISCOVERY, INC,
and
CMassachusetts Christopher Columbus
^^uincentennial Commission
celebrate thespirit ofdiscovery by honoringMassachusetts Noble Laureates
andthe recipient ofthefirstMassachusetts Columbus QuincentennialAward
Trogram
October 9, 1992
6:30 P.M. RECEPTION
WELCOME
7:30 P.M.
SenatorLouisBertonazzi, Chairman, MassachusettsColumbusQuincentennial Commission
StephenJ. Hegarty, PresidentofMassachusetts HospitalAssociation
William E. Callahan, M.D., PresidentofMassachusetts MedicalSociety
HonorableArgeo PaulCellucci, Lt. GovernoroftheCommonwealth
Honorable William F. Weld, GovernoroftheComonwealth
INVOCATION
ReverendJoseph Dujjy, S.J., Boston College
DINNER
7:45 P.M.
PROGRAM
8:30 P.M.
Introductions SenatorLouisBertonazzi
Introduction ro Elaine Ullian, ChairpersonofCelebrateDiscovery, Inc.
DocumentaryVideo
DocumentaryVideo Createdand produced by LarryMillerProductions, Lnc.
Introduction of SenatorLouisBertonazzi
Nobel Laureates
Description ofColumbus SenatorLouisBertonazzi
Quincentennial Award
Presentation ofAward Lt. GovernorArgeoPaidCellucci,
SenatorLouisBertonazzi, and Elaine Ullian
Thank you LiaymondC. Kurzweil, Award recipient
and Remarks
Final Words SenatorLouisBertonazzi
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Department
STATE HOUSE BOSTON 02133
WILLIAM F. WELD
GOVERNOR
ARGEO PAUL CELLUCCI
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR
October 9, 1992
Dear Friends,
It is with great pleasure that Lieutenant Governor Cellucci and I welcome you this
evening. We gather tonight to honor some distinguished citizens and to
culminate the Commonwealth's four-year "spirit of discovery" celebration
commemorating the historic voyages of Christopher Columbus.
Our honored guests have proven that the spirit of discovery is alive and well in
Massachusetts. Innovations which have benefitted the nation and the world have
been made within our borders.
We are proud and privileged to have twenty-nine Nobel laureates residing in our
state and teaching at our colleges and universities. They set examples for our
yojang people to search the depths of their potential and seek new frontiers.
Tonight, as we pay tribute to our special guests, let us commit to nourishing and
encouraging the spirit of discovery.
Sincerely,
William F. Weld A. Paul Cellucci
Governor Lieutenant Governor
SENATOR
LOUIS P. BERTONAZZI
Chairman
REPRESENTATIVT
MARIE PARENTE
J.
Vice Chairman
DearGuests,
This weekendthe world, the nation, and Massachusettscelebrate andcommemoratethe 500th anniversary ofColumbus'
Voyages ofDiscovery. Theobservance has engendered enthusiasm in many comers, criticism in others, and abemused
detachment among others still. But everyone, from the youngest ofschool children on, knows that "Columbus discov-
ered America," knows the myths and legends surrounding the man, knows he will forever hold a central place in the
collective identity ofourcountry, andthatcelebratory activities are notjustinevitable, butfitting and proper.
The Massachusetts Christopher Columbus Quincentennial Commission was formed eight years ago to mobilize,
energize and coordinate statewide activities commemorating the Columbus Quincentenary. Acknowledging the
controversy that sometimes surrounds Columbus, the Commission wisely chose to focus on the strong Spirit of
Discovery that underlies his historic voyages; stressing that which is good, common to all, and inspirational about the
Columbus experience.
We are gathered here tonight to participate in the premier event ofthe state's Quincentennial program. We arejoining
together to honor and highlight the significant contributions of all the Nobel Prize winners who live and work in the
Commonwealth and to pay tribute to the innovative finalists and winner of the very first Massachusetts Columbus
Quincentennial Award competition. The Award will be presented tonight to an individual whose significant
"discovery" has enhanced the quality of life, brought benefit to the Commonwealth, and has demonstrable societal
value. It is expected that the Award will be conferred annually hereafterduring the Columbus Day weekend.
This is our special way ofcelebrating the spirit ofColumbus and saying "thank you" to those who toil every day, often
obscurely, toreach newhorizons, tofindbetterways ofbeing, tonotjust accept what is,but to strive forsomething better.
Thankyou forjoining with us and Celebrating Discovery!
Sincerely,
Senator Louis P. Bertonazzi
Chairman
COLUMBUS
QUINCENTENNIAL
MASSACHUSETTS
1492-1992
3
The ^^Massachusetts Columbus
^uincentennial ^.^ward
1992 ColumbusAwardSelection Committee
Lynn E. Browne, Deputy Director ofResearch for RegionalAffairs & Advisor to the President,
Federal Reserve Bank ofBoston
Dr. Joseph A. Cronin, President, Bentley College
Ronald Homer, CEO, Boston Bank ofCommerce
Josiah Spaulding, Jr., President and General Manager, The Wang Center for the PerformingArts
John Larkin Thompson, President, Emeritus, Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofMassachusetts, Inc.
Dr. ChristopherT. Walsh, President, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
AwardDescription andSelection Process
As part ofthe 500th anniversary celebration ofChristopher Columbus' historic voyages, the Massachusetts Christopher
Columbus Quincentenn—ial Commission and Celebrate Discovery, Inc. have established a legacy award that honors—the
young explorer's spirit the Spirit ofDiscovery. It also wishes to recognize the Commonwealth ofMassachusetts
a place where creativity, innovation and discovery thrive. ThisAwardwill assure that the 500th anniversary is
appropriately commemorated once the parades and festivities end.
The Massachusetts Columbus QuincentennialAward will be presented annually to an individual or team ofindividuals
who can be credited with a significant innovation or discovery during the five years prior to the award date. To be
eligible, the recipient must also have been a Massachusetts resident for at least three years.
Criteria for evaluation is based on the innovation or discovery's uniqueness and lastingvalue or benefit to the Common-
wealth, its global implications, broad societal value and/or potential for replication as a national or international model.
It must enhance the quality oflife in Massachusetts. Finally, it must be clearly attributable to the nominee(s) and be
proven in practice.
Thousands ofletters soliciting nominations were distributed to businesses, academic institutions, non-profit organi-
zations and government agencies to encourage broad and diverse participation from all sectors ofour population.
This year, three finalists were selected and the winnerwas chosen from among them. All finalists are being honored
with a cash award. The Columbus Quincentennial Award winner will receive a commemorative medal and $5000.
The Columbus QuincentennialAwardhas beenfundedbyan endowmentmadepossiblethrough the
&
generosityoftheMassachusettsPortAuthority. CelebrateDiscovery wishes to thankReed Barton Inc.
ofTaunton forthespecially castcommemorative medal.
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Columbus^luincentennial k^ward dinner
RAYMOND KURZWEIL
C.
—
The Columbus QuincentennialAward is being presented to Raymond Kurzweil—for one ofhis most recent inventions
the firstcommercially marketed largevocabularyspeech recognition technology used in many hospitals throughout
the country. Thisvoice-activated patient chartingsystem allows medical staffwith little or no computer experience to
dictate information andgenerate reports in less than 30 seconds.
Raymond Kurzweil is the principal developerofa numberofimportant technologies that have grown into major com-
mercial markets. In addition to his speech recognition system, Mr. Kurzweil developed technologyfor the special needs
and musical marketplaces: the first print-to-speech reading machine for the blind and the first computer music keyboard
capable ofaccurately reproducing the sounds oforchestral instruments.
Each ofhis inventions has been unique and its applications have spanned the globe. Reaching beyond the commercial
aspects ofhis products, Mr. Kurzweil has established his own foundation to support the application oftechnology for the
handicapped and to advance the public understanding ofthe social impact ofnew technology.
(^Award Tinalists
CRANE & CO., INC.
In the mid-1980s, the U.S. Secretary ofthe Treasury decided to increase the security aspects ofhigh denomination U.S.
banknotes due to the growing threat ofcounterfeiting caused by increasingly more sophisticated developments in color
copying technology.
&
Responding to a Request for Proposal, Crane Co. was awarded a four-year contract to develop and produce paper
for the new banknotes. The specification for the new banknote paper required technical sophistication and quality
assurance not yet known in the state-of-the-art paperworkingworld. Through the teamwork displayed byvarious
—
departments manufacturing, engineering, research and development, quality assurance, process control, data
—
processing and administration this program was a success.
THENGS KIDS NETWORK
The NGS Kids Network is a major innovation in science education currently used by 250,000 children annually
throughout the world. It uses computer and telecommunications technology to engage children in making environmen-
tal measurements which theyshare over a networkwith each other and participating scientists. There is clear evidence
that this type ofshared learning results in highly motivatedstudents who can learn important science concepts and
develop problem-solving capabilities.
The NGS Kids Network concept, software, curricula, and related research were all developed in Cambridge byThe
Educational Research Centers (TERC). The team included CandaceJulyan, Bob Tinker, Cecilia Lenk andJune Foster,
with the assistance ofnumerous Massachusetts employees, consultants, teachers, and schools. It is widely used in
Massachusetts schools, throughout the U.S., and in many other countries.
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CMassachusetts ISlobellaureates
Tonight wearehonoringthe ultimatespiritofdiscovery: twenty-nineNobelLaureates livingandworkingin Massachusetts,
whosededication to a questforknowledge is both an inspiration andexampleforusall. They have reachedthepinnacleof
excellence in theirfieldsandtheirachievements have been recognizedworldwide. As residents ofMassachusetts, ivorkingatlocal
colleges, universities, andhospitals, theyshare theirknowledge with tomorrow'sgreatexplorers, carryingon the longtradition of
discoveryandinnovation.
BariijBeuacerraf,M.D., Dr. Benacerrafwas awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
isPresidentandCEOof in 1980 for his discoveries ofgeneticallydetermined structures on the
cell's surface that regulate immunological reactions. His scientific work
Dana-Farber, Inc. and
in immunology has been described as . . the epitome ofbasic
Fabyan Professorof research, producing the kind offundamental new knowledge that seems
ComparativePathology, certain to revolutionize the practice ol medicine and touch the lives of
patients with afflictions as varied as cancer, arthritis, multiple schlerosis,
Emeritus, atHarvard
major orean failure, and massive burns."
MedicalSchool.
Baruj Benacerraf
KonradE. Blochis Professor Bloch's studies contributed significantly to the understanding
ofhow nutrients are transformed in the body. His 1964 Nobel Prize in
HigginsProfessorof
Physiology or Medicine recognized his pioneeringworkon
Biochemistry, Emeritus, —
intermediary metabolism in living cells the building up ofcomplex
atHarvardUniversity. molecules essential to life from simpler molecules, anci the breaking
down ofother molecules to yield energy. His identification ofthe
metabolic pathway from acetic acid to cholesterol and fatty acids has
served as a model forsubsequent research on pathways ofchemical
change from simple to complex molecules in humans.
Konrad E. Bloch
NicolaasBloembergeti is In 1981, Professor Bloembergen was awarded the Nobel Prize for
GerhardGade Physics jointlywith A. L. Schawlow, for theirwork in the development
oflaser spectroscopy. He has received the National Medal ofScience,
UniversityProfessor,
the Lorentz Medal ofthe Royal Dutch Academy ofScience, and the
Emeritus, Department Medal ofHonor ofthe Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
ofPhysicsatHarvard
University.
Nicolaas Bloembergen
6
JosephBrodskyhas Known for his lyric talent and independent spirit, Brodsky won the
taughtatMount Nobel Prize in Literature in 1987. In 1981, he was one ofthe first
recipients ofthe MacArthurAward. Last year Brodskywas named the
HolyokeCollegefor
fifth poet laureate ofthe United States byJames H. Billington, the
morethanadecade, Librarian ofCongress.
whereheisnowAndrew
MellonProfessorof
Literature.
—
Eric Chivian,M.D. is In 1980, Dr. Chivian joined three American physicians Bernard
—
Lown,James Muller, and Herbert Abrams and three Soviet
AssistantClitiical
physicians to form the International Physicians for the Prevention of
ProfessorofPsychiatiy Nuclear War (IPPNW), winner ofthe 1984 UNESCO Peace
atHarvardMedical Education Prize and the 198S Nobel Peace Prize.
SchoolandStaff
Psychiatristatthe
MassachusettsInstitute
ofTechnology.
EliasJ. CoreyisSheldon Professor Corey has been "instrumental in developing logical methods
to help chemists find the winning line oi play for synthesizing complex
EineiyProfessorof
organic molecules." He was awarded the 1990 Nobel Prize in
ChemistryatHarvard
Chemistry for his contributions to synthetic organic chemistry; most
University. specifically noted was his strictly logical approach to complex syntheses.
His work "opened the way to the development ofa plethora ofnew and
extremely valuable drugs."
AlLmM. Cormackis Professor Cormack won the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or
UniversityProfessor, Medicine for his contributions to "the invention of the x-raydiagnostic
technique computerized axial tomography." Computer-assisted
DepartmentofPhysics
tomography (CAT) has become a valuable addition to medical
andAstronomy, at Tufis diagnostic techniques.
University.
7
JeromeI. Frledmim is In 1990 Friedman joinrly won the Nobel Prize in Physics with
InstituteProfessorofthe Professors Henry W. Kendall and Richard Taylor "for their
pioneering investigations concerning deep inelastic scattering of
DepartmentofPhysicsat
electrons on protons and bound neutrons, which have been of
theMassachusetts essential importance for the development ofthe quark model in
InstituteofTechnology. particle physics."
Jerome Friedman
I.
WalterGilbertis Carl Professor Gilbert was awarded the 1980 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
M. Loeb Unit'ersity "lor his work on determination ofthe sequence ofbases in DNA by
a method applicable to single- and double-stranded DNA."
ProfessorandChair
oftheDepartmentof
Cellularand
DevelopmentalBiology
atHarvardUniversity.
WalterGilbert
Sheldon Glashotvisthe Professor Glashow was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in
HigginsProfessorof 1979. The prize was given jointly to three individuals for their
individual contributions to the unified theory ol the weak and
PhysicsandMellon
electromagnetic forces.
ProfessoroftheSciences
atHarvardUniversity.
Sheldon L. Glashow
DudleyR. Herschbach Professor Herschbach shared the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for
isFrankB. Baird,Jr. research that provided a "much more detailed understanding of how
chemical reactions take place." The process he discovered can be used
ProfessorofScienceat
to study all types ofchemical reactions in a verydifferent way that has
HarvardUniversity. led to a more detailed understanding ol reaction dynamics.
DudleyR. Herschbach
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