Response 



by 

 Dr. Alan T. Waterman 



It is a real pleasure to accept this award, which I appreciate 

 very much, indeed; especially so on account of its name. I knew 

 E. B. Wilson and admired him most heartily. His help in the 

 early days of ONR was of inestimable value. I should also say 

 that it made the award particularly meaningful to receive it 

 from a member of Congress, because — as a former employee in 

 the Executive Branch of the Government — it isn't always that 

 one finds the Legislative Branch bearing such gifts. 



Everyone in a situation like this will inevitably be aware of 

 the fact that the real significance of such an award lies in its 

 existence and in its function as a symbol which people con- 

 sider important. The very occasion which we are celebrating 

 today brings this symbolic intent to a brilliant focus in its com- 

 memoration of the combined unified effort on the part of 

 scientists, the Federal agencies functioning in the service of 

 national purpose, and the people of the country. I hope that it 

 is a symbol of this endeavor that the present award will become 

 important. I am sure that future recipients of the award will 

 feel as I do that this should be the case. Thank you very much. 



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