 gentlemen the president of the United States. Thank you. Thank you all very much. Who's ten in the store? Connie Horner and ladies and gentlemen good morning and welcome to the White House. We've assembled today to some of you think that's strange. I always have to explain that. I had to have it explained to me that they technically call this the White House. I know we're across the street. But we're assembled here today to honor the best of our senior executive service. Those of you who on whom it is my privilege to bestow distinguished presidential rank awards. You know any administration even one that last eight years is keenly aware of the ticking of the clock and the calendar pages flipping by as it strives to achieve what is set out to accomplish. Each president each administration is a rendezvous with Father Time. Father Time I went to school with him he was a classmate. But the clock is ticking and even as our administration has called for government to play a more limited role in American life we've worked hard to see that government performs its legitimate functions with greater diligence and efficiency. It's men and women like you who have made this vital effort successful. At Treasury and Justice in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, at Agriculture, NASA and so many others you become shining examples of individuals who have delivered on the promises of the government to the American people. Time won't permit me to discuss each of your achievements but I do want to mention just at least a few. One of you's fought crime by developing a program to help cut drug smuggling in Miami. Another helped put Americans on the moon and is now working to make NASA's space station a reality. Several of you've made advances of critical importance to our national defense and at this time of battles to bring deficit spending under control I have to point out that several of you have saved our taxpayers major sums. One a financial officer at the Agency for International Development saved the government more than four and a half million dollars. An award winner at Treasury is credited with saving taxpayers 12 million dollars and an award winner in the Navy pioneered changes that it's estimated will save some 300 million dollars and you know even in Washington 300 million dollars is real money. Even more important than these specific savings and advances each of you has provided an example an inspiration to others in the civil service to work hard and to be more conscientious of the great trust that is shared by all in public service. Through your personal achievement you whom we offer honor today have improved the lives of millions of your fellow citizens throughout our nation and these awards represent the appreciation that each of us feels for you having accomplished so much for so many. On behalf of all Americans permit me to offer my heartfelt congratulations on a job well done. Thank you all and God bless you and now Connie if you get up here and do your chore I'll step over here and do my. And it's a wonderful chore. We'll now call forward the award winners one by one to receive their awards from the President. From the Department of Agriculture R. Max Anderson. Excuse me. That was Max Peterson. From the Agency for International Development Curtis W. Christensen. From the Department of Commerce John A. Simpson. From the Defense Communications Agency David A. Israel. From the Department of the Air Force Arthur H. Gunther. From the Department of the Navy Richard C. Armstrong. Army that was. Excuse me. From the Department of the Navy James E. Colvard. Also from Navy Angelo J. Demascio. Anthony R. DiTropani. And from Navy Richard L. Haver. From the Department of Energy Robert M. Forcel. From the Environmental Protection Agency Valdus V. Adamkus. From the Federal Communications Commission James C. McKinney. From the Department of Health and Human Services Ruth L. Kershdeen. From the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Two winners Robert I. Dodge the third. And William Y. Nishimura. From the Department of Justice John C. Keeney. Three award winners from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Gerald D. Griffin. Samuel W. Keller. And Andrew J. Stofan. From the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Guy H. Cunningham. From the Office of Management and Budget Naomi R. Sweeney. From the Office of Personnel Management James W. Morrison Jr. From the Securities and Exchange Commission two winners Kenneth M. Fogash. And Alexia L. Morrison. From the Department of State Michael G. Kozak. From the Department of Transportation Barry Felrice. From the Department of Treasury three winners Robert N. Batard. Marjorie Waxman. And Larry G. Westfall. And finally from the United States Information Agency Stanley M. Silverman. Stanley M. Silverman. Sorry Charlie. Stanley Silverman here is Stanley come on Stanley come up and get you've got it you do you know we have two for you you must have done a wonderful job all right. Oh I see this is important and we're gonna get it right. Thank you very much. Well next year I'll be giving one to someone who's straightened out.