4:58

[Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter]

All good, David? Good. All right.

Ladies and gentlemen ladies and gentlemen thank you thank you for your attention.  Good afternoon, I'm Jeremy Pelter, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the 75th Annual Honor Awards Ceremony of the U.S. Department of Commerce. What an outstanding milestone to reach.

The presentation of colors will be given by the Armed Forces Color Guard and the National Anthem sung by our very own, Stacy Hoffman from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Please rise.

[Music]

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,

Over the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave

Over the land of the free and the home of the brave?

[Music] [Applause]

Ladies and Gentlemen please join me in thanking the Armed Forces Color Guard and Stacy Hoffman. Stirring and inspirational performances to say the least. A reminder that I am talentless when it comes to singing and I wish I could do what Stacy does. I cannot, but my goodness Stacy is exceptional as always. And so much thanks to the color guard for visiting us today.

It is an honor and a privilege to open this special occasion which marks the 75th annual presentation of awards to the Department's very finest employees. The recipients of our honor Awards along with our gold and silver medal recipients. We also celebrate the recipient of the Ron Brown Excellence in Innovation Award today. 

The gold medal the highest honorary award granted by the secretary is granted for distinguished performance characterized by extraordinary notable or prestigious contributions that impact the mission of the Department or an operating unit and which reflect favorably on the Department.

The silver medal the second highest honorary award granted by the secretary is granted for exceptional performance characterized by noteworthy or superlative contributions which have a direct and lasting impact within the Department.

This year there are 96 Awards being presented. 96 – 54 gold and 42 silver medals. These medals represent nearly 600 employees and organizations. Gold and silver medals presented come in one of the following categories: leadership, personal and professional excellence, scientific or engineering achievement, organizational development, customer service, administrative or technical support and heroism.

Now it is my great pleasure to introduce the Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Don Graves. Ladies and Gentlemen please join me in giving him a warm welcome.

[Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves]

Thank you, Jeremy, for that introduction. It is really wonderful to be here today. I should say in advance I want to thank Cisco, who is our interpreter, for all that he's going to do, because this is going to be a long production. So, in addition to Jeremy having to stand here and give all of the awards and talk about all of the amazing things that people have done, Cisco will ube doing the same thing.

This is perhaps my favorite day every year at the Department of Commerce. I am so proud to be here with colleagues, with friends and family of our colleagues, who've gathered here to recognize and celebrate this year's exceptional class of Department of honor award recipients.

The award recipients and the individuals who are receiving these awards today are not just something to display or to take pride in. Though certainly I hope that you all will take pride in being a part of this amazing class and part of this great Commerce family. They're also symbols of your dedication, the hard work, the passion that you have to advance the mission of the Department of Commerce.

To create the conditions as part of our mission for economic growth and opportunities, for all Americans. I feel a deep sense of gratitude when I look out at this audience. And we don't often get all of us together, because I have the opportunity to collaborate with each and every one of you. Maybe not directly as I'd like, but each and every one of you and the things that you're working on. Because what I know without question, this Department is the single best agency in the entire Federal Government and we prove it every single day so big round of applause for yourselves.

[Applause]

That is why we're the best agency in the Federal Government.

Frankly I think we're the best institution in the United States, but you know others may differ.

The reason I mean, we have all these different things. 13 bureaus that are doing amazing research and setting up new programs and connecting with people. And it's amazing work.

But the thing that sets us apart is our people. Nearly 50,000 talented, amazing, devoted employees who are engaged in this work of serving the American people. For making a difference. And I am honored to be here to help those who are honored today.

To continue to set the standard for United States. To set the standard for this government and to help each of us strive forward this past year has been one of unprecedented progress.

And I know what you would say back to me. Yeah, you keep asking us to do a whole lot more and you're not giving us a whole lot of additional resources. We will keep working on that piece, but it's unprecedented progress for the Commerce Department and for the Federal Government.

As a whole, we've made unbelievable strides in connecting each and every American to high-speed internet.

We've supported the work of minority entrepreneurs and other socially and economically disadvantaged businesses like never before.

We've gone community to community to community to help develop and train a 21st Century workforce.

We've strengthened our trade partnerships, reaching every corner of the world for opportunities to connect with the United States.

We've bolstered our rules-based economic order through trade law enforcement and through our export controls.

We've helped level the global economic playing field. We've advanced our role in ensuring our country's climate resilience.

We've driven the advance advancement of a whole slew of scientific endeavors breakthroughs.

We've studied the data, the statistics that help us make better decisions as a Department, as a Government, as a people, and so much more that you all are doing.

This is all work that we can be proud of accomplishing and we can build off of it as we move forward.

So, we're very pleased to have with us today, folks who fully appreciate the senior leaders from many of our bureaus. Who've been frankly instrumental in ensuring that the Secretary and I know exactly what you're seeing, what you're feeling, what you're doing, what you need to help you all accomplish these amazing accomplishments. And I'm sure that they are excited to be celebrating with you today. So, I'd ask these leaders to stand as I call their names.

Vipin Aurora, Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis

[Applause]

Greg Capella, Deputy Under Secretary for Industry and Security

[Applause]

Ron Jarmin, Deputy Director of the U.S. Census Bureau

[Applause]

Alejandra Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development

[Applause]

Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade,

[Applause]

I don't see her but maybe she's here and I can't see.

Laura Locascio, Director of NIST and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology.

She's not here.

[Applause]

Yet, we actually have the Administrator of NOAA, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Rick Spinrad is here.

I didn't know that you were actually going to make it.

Allan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator.

Fred Steckler, the Chief Administrative Officer for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

My thanks to each and all of you, for all that you do.

Oh, I'm sorry. Leslie Kieran, our General Counsel.

Sorry. Sorry, Leslie.

Thanks to each and every one of the leaders who are helping to drive the work of the Department and who really are just reflecting on the work that you do.

I've said this before, maybe not as often for you all as I should. But the way that I've started to think about Commerce is something that someone said offhand. I think it was a little bit of a snide remark, but I've started to own it. I refer to the Department of Commerce as America's hall closet now.

I know you're thinking, well yeah, it's because, it's you know, it’s a hodge podge. You throw in all these things. But I think of America's hall closet is the place that no matter what you need, you can always go and find it and that's what Commerce is all about. You can find everything that you need. That American people can find what they need here in America's hall closet.

That's never been better illustrated than by the breadth and the scope of the work that you do and frankly the accomplishments that we're celebrating today. I look forward to growing, to continuing, to learning, to achieving a whole lot more with you all in the months to come.  And with that I thank you for everything that you do every single day. That you bring your authentic selves, you bring your whole selves, you bring your energy, your passion, your devotion, your commitment to the American people and to this Department. So, thank you so much. And Jeremy, I turn it back to you.

[Applause]

[Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter]

America's hall closet. We're going to turn the closet light on, maybe today and put to shine on some of the exciting things that are happening. Thank you, Deputy Secretary, for your inspiring words, your passion for our people, your care for our programs. Your presence today is greatly appreciated.

I would now like to recognize the recipients of the gold and silver medals by bureau. I mentioned we have 96. I brought water. Cisco may need hand lotion. But we will move through them and ensure that everybody gets what they're due.

We'll go and we'll mention certainly, the bureau name, the award category, followed by the team organization or individual name.

Recipients when you hear your team’s name or your name, please do rise for a round of applause. And when I read your team or organization name, give a wave. It's okay to be recognized today. And once we conclude with applause, you can sit back down, and we'll move on to the next medal. We have so many today. It's going to be very exciting.

We will begin with the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

A Gold Medal for Customer Service to the Puerto Rico Economic Development Team.

[Applause]

They were quick. They were up there in the back though. Thank you.

We also have for the Bureau of Economic Analysis, a Silver Medal for Customer Service to the United States Economies Team.

[Applause]

Thank you so much to team BEA.

Now we'll move to the Bureau of Industry and Security.

[Cheering]

They brought a cheering section.

Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence to the Foreign-Produced Direct Product Rule Team.

[Applause]

Bureau of Industry and Security Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence Carlos Monroy.

[Applause]

The Bureau of Industry and Security, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the BUST Divestment Team.

[Applause]

The Bureau of Industry and Security, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the End-Use Policy Team.

[Applause]

The Bureau of Industry and Security, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Semiconductor Design Requirements Team.

[Applause]

The Bureau of Industry and Security, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Global Coalition Export Control Team.

[Applause]

The Bureau of Industry and Security, Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Ukrainian Support Team.

[Applause]

The Bureau of Industry and Security, Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, Garrett Greer.

Thank you, Garrett, and thank you, BIS.

[Applause]

Wow! And now on to the U.S. Census Bureau.

[Cheering]

The gold medal for Leadership, the ABA Dashboard Team.

[Applause]

U.S. Census Bureau, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Tribal Relations Program Team.

[Applause]

U.S. Census Bureau, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Real Dollar Data Product Team.

[Applause]

U.S. Census Bureau, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the 2020 Census Data Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Census Bureau, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the TopDown Algorithm Team.

[Applause]

We are top-down, sir. No more bottom up.

[Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves]

Wait, no. That's what the President says.

[Applause]

[Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter]

The U.S. Census Bureau Gold Medal for Customer Service, the Puerto Rico Quarterly Workforce Indicators Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Census Bureau, Silver Medal for Leadership, the Census Reimagined Renovation Team.

[Applause]

U.S. Census Bureau, Gold Medal for Leadership, the Standard Application Process Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Census Bureau, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Index of Economic Activity or IDEA Team.

[Applause]

Thank you, U.S. Census Bureau and woohoo, Ron Jarmin.

[Applause]

[Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves]

Is, is the Miley Cyrus performance now?

[Laughing]

[Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter]

Shhh, she's in the green room.

[Laughing]

Now for the Economic Development Administration.

Gold Medal for Leadership, the Build Back Better Regional Challenge Team.

[Applause]

The Economic Development Administration, Silver Medal for Leadership, the Good Jobs Challenge Program Team.

[Applause]

The Economic Development Administration, Silver Medal for Leadership, Chivas Grannum.

[Applause]

The Economic Development Administration, Silver Medal for Leadership, Aminata Kamara.

[Applause]

The Economic Development Administration Silver Medal for Leadership, the Economic Recovery Support Function Team.

[Applause]

The Economic Development Administration, Silver Medal for Customer Service, the Tribal Engagement Team.

[Applause]

Thank you, team EDA.

Sure.

[Applause]

On to the International Trade Administration. Is there anyone here from the International Trade Administration today?

[Cheering]

Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Russia Economic Analysis Team.

[Applause]

International Trade Administration, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Taiwan Semiconductor Investments Team.

[Applause]

International Trade Administration, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the U.S. and Japan Economic Vision Team.

[Applause]

The International Trade Administration, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Compete in Europe Team.

[Applause]

The International Trade Administration, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the OPG-GEH Small Modular Reactor Team.

[Applause]

The International Trade Administration, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, Julian Richards.

[Applause]

The International Trade Administration Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Canadian F-35 Team.

[Applause]

The International trade Administration Gold Medal for Heroism, the Operation Salvation Team.

[Applause]

The International Trade Administration Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, Shannon Coe.

[Applause]

The International Trade Administration, Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Europe and Eurasia SMR Technology Team.

[Applause]

International Trade Administration, Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Minority Business Trade Team.

[Applause]

International Trade Administration, Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy Team.

[Applause]

International Trade Administration, Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the U.S. and Spain Fair Trade Team.

[Applause]

Silver medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Advanced Manufacturing Business Development Mission Team.

[Applause]

Outstanding. Thank you, team ITA.

[Applause]

[Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves]

Marisa, your team, I assume is working on making sure the international travel of one performer from Japan back to the Super Bowl is happening. You guys are on it, right? Okay.

[Laughing]

[Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter]

We're not, we're not naming names.

[Laughing]

Next up, the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

A Gold Medal for Leadership to the Public Safety Communications Research Division

[Applause]

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Leadership, James Whetstone.

[Applause]

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Leadership, the Forensic Science Practices Team.

[Applause]

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the iEdison SystemsTeam.

[Applause]

National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Advanced Measurement Tools and AI Strategies Team.

[Applause]

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Monkeypox Diagnostic Testing Team.

[Applause]

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the AI-Enhanced Materials Analysis Platform Team.

[Applause]

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Serial Cytometry Team

[Applause]

The National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Wildland-Urban Interface Fires Team.

[Applause]

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Chip Scales Sensor Team.

[Applause]

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, Dylan Yaga.

[Applause]

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Chips and Science Act Team.

[Applause]

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Silver Medal for Leadership, the Biologically Stable Water Quality Standard Team.

[Applause]

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the U.S. First Responders’ Communication Technology Team.

[Applause]

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Optomechanical Sensing Platform Team.

[Applause]

I feel dumber every time I read one of these awards.

[Laughing]

Thank you, NIST. Amazing.

[Applause]

And now turning to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Gold medal for Leadership, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Team.

[Applause]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Leadership, the NOAA National Center for Coastal Ocean Science Marine Spatial Ecology Division, the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center Offshore Wind Team, and the NOAA Southeast Regional Office Offshore Wind Team.

All please stand.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Leadership, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Restoration Plan Team.

I had to practice that one and I'm sure, I'm pretty sure I still got it wrong.

[Laughing]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Gold Medal for Leadership, the Pesticides Team.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, to the NCEP Central Operations, the Corporate Services Acquisition Division, and the Contract Law Division.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Science or Engineering Achievement, Hurricane Ian Uncrewed Aircraft System Team.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Forecast Research and Development Division, the Global Systems Laboratory, Assimilation, Scientific Computing & Evaluation Novel Division, and the National Weather Service Science & Operations Officers.

All together.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Customer Service, the Anchorage Weather Forecast Office, the Fairbanks Weather Forecast Office, and the Alaska Environmental Science and Service Integration Center.

They came in from Alaska. Come on.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Customer Service to the National Water Center Operations Center Team.

[Applause]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Heroism, the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown.

[Applause]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gold Medal for Heroism, the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Gold Medal for Heroism, the NOAA Ship Oregon II

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Uncrewed Aerial System Team.

[Applause]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Volcano Eruption Team.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering

Achievement, the United States River Chemistry Data Set Team.

[Applause]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Hydrographic Surveys Antarctic Waters Team.

They came from Antarctica. Come on.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Wildfire Smoke Transport Team.

[Applause]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the AI Regional Climate Variability Team.

[Applause]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Medal for Organizational Development, the NOAA – Tribal and Indigenous Peoples Consultation Team.

[Applause]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Medal for Administrative or Technical Support, the NOAA Corps Officers Regulations Team.

[Applause]

Thank you, NOAA. Thank you, Dr. Spinrad.

[Applause]

[Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves]

Rick, I don't know about you, but it doesn't seem to me like that other four-letter agency, that begins with N and ends with an A holds a candle to the NOAA team.

[Laughing]

[Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter]

I can't argue with that. I thought we were doing host of the year next, but I can't find that piece of paper in here.

[Laughing]

Moving to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Notice of Funding Opportunity Internet Service Launch Team.

[Applause]

They brought signs. Signage. They actually have signage. I love it.  We'll make sure they have a permit.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Gold Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the C-Band 5G Base Stations and Safety-of-life Airborne Radar Altimeters Team.

[Applause]

National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the NTIA Grant Portal Team.

[Applause]

National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Silver Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Notice of Funding Opportunity Broadband Development Team.

[Applause]

Great job, NTIA.  Thank you, Assistant Secretary Davidson.

[Applause]

Turning to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Gold Medal for Leadership, the AI Patent Search System Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence the USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Gold Medal for Organizational Development, the World Intellectual Property Organization Standard ST.26 Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Gold Medal for Administrative or Technical Support the USPTO Data Center Relocation and Modernization Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Gold Medal for Administrative or Technical Support, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks and Office of the General Counsel.

[Applause]

Stay standing USPTO. Silver Medal for Leadership Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks and Office of the General Counsel.

[Applause]

I had to take away Fred's cowbell before we let him into the audience.

[Laughing]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Silver Medal for Scientific or Engineering Achievement, the Multi-cloud Computing Platform Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Silver Medal for Organizational Development, the Enhance Patent Quality and Accessibility Inventions Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Silver Medal for Administrative or Technical Support, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Case Tracking System Team.

[Applause]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Silver Medal for Heroism, Gwendelyn Blackwell.

Thank you sincerely, Gwendaline. And thank you to the USPTO.

[Applause]

On to the Office of the Secretary, Office of the General Counsel, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Advanced Computing and Semiconductors Legal Support Team.

[Applause]

Office of the Secretary, Office of the General Council, Gold Medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Office of the Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement and Compliance, the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation, and the International Trade Administration.

[Applause]

Office of the Secretary, Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, Silver medal for Leadership, the Department of Commerce FFRDC Contract Solutions Team.

[Applause]

Office of the Secretary, Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, Silver medal for Leadership, the Enterprise-wide Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Risk Strategy Team.

[Applause]

Office of the Secretary, Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, Silver medal for Personal and Professional Excellence, the Interagency Executive Roundtable Team.

[Applause]

Office of the Secretary, Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, Silver medal for Organizational Development, the CSOD Routing Tool Team.

[Applause]

Office of the Secretary, Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, Silver medal for Customer Service, the Employee and Labor Relations Tracking System Team.

[Applause]

Office of the Secretary, Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, Silver medal for Administrative or Technical Support, the Purchase Card Program Business Process Improvement Team.

[Applause]

This concludes the section of our program today for the Honor Awards. I think I'd appreciate and I'm certain you it's a round of applause for all of our award winners tonight.

[Applause]

That's quite a list of impressive achievements and just a glimpse of what the Department has accomplished over the past year. Thank you so much Department of Commerce recipients.

We do have a final award to give out today and I'm glad I have the Deputy Secretary here with me, as it is one of our most treasured at the Department. It is the Ron Brown Excellence in Innovation Award.

[Applause]

This award honors the extraordinary leadership Legacy and memory of the former Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. Ron Brown saw Public Service as an opportunity to make an amazing contribution to the future of our country and to give of oneself for a larger and greater purpose. Simply said he saw Public Service as an opportunity to do good. He challenged employees to innovate to be creative and to take risks that could make life better for the American people. The award was created to recognize the Department's top individual or small team Gold Medal recipient who exhibits extraordinary resourcefulness, who develops novel unique and cutting-edge solutions, who takes calculated risks that result in creative answers and improved customer service and who embodies Secretary Brown's vision and legacy.

I've gotten the envelope. It's not somebody flying back from Tokyo.

The winner of the Ron Brown Excellence in Innovation Award is the Serial Cytometry Team from NIST.

[Applause]

Please join us on the stage.

[Applause]

The team consists of Gregory cookie Matthew Del Salvo Anthony kley and Paul Patron for pioneering the real time cellbell analysis required to support early cancer diagnosis the evaluation of Novel Therapeutics and increase the accuracy of clinical decision making the team is honored for their groundbreaking invention the serial cytometer a breakthrough in flow cell measurements that makes possible multiple measurements of the same cell in sequence enabling self- validating time dependent measurements of cell Behavior

[Applause]

Amazing.

[Applause]

That's not enough applause. One more round for the Ron Brown Excellence in Innovation Award winner.

I've read a little bit about their work prior to unleashing this award and it is incredibly creative, novel, unique, advanced science that is just very exciting.

So, thank you for the work you're doing ladies and gentlemen. Please join me in another round of applause for all of the recipients honored here today.

[Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves]

On advice of counsel, I've been told not to adlib, but I will anyway.

I just want to say how proud I am, deeply proud I am to be able to work with amazing women and men, amazing people across this Department. It just blows me away every time I come to this. When I see the work that you do the impact that you have on this country. The advances that we're making. Thank you for allowing me to be here and be part of this ceremony with you. I am deeply grateful for everything that you do. Thank you.

[Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter]

Thank you, sir. Thank you for that support.

I will now ask Stacy Hoffman to return to the stage for the conclusion of our 75th Annual Honor Awards Ceremony.

Thank you, everyone for sharing in our happy occasion. Please join us in the lobby for a brief reception after the ceremony closes. There will be opportunities for photographs during the reception as well.

Stacy.

[Music]

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home.

[Music]

[Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter]

Thank you everyone. If you didn't know this, the Deputy Secretary is an accomplished acapella singer. Next year, I'm going to get him up here singing for us as well.

Class dismissed. Congratulations.

[Applause]