Fwd: IBM Scientist John Cocke Receives Medal from President

[David Farber <farber@central.cis.upenn.edu>]

Well well deserved!!! djf


IBM Scientist John Cocke Receives Medal from President Clinton


December 19, 1994


In a ceremony today in Washington, D.C., John Cocke, a retired IBM Fellow
and computer scientist, received the nation's highest scientific honor
from President Clinton.  Cocke was awarded the National Medal of Science
for pioneering the development of reduced instruction set computer (RISC)
architecture and optimizing compiler technology.


Cocke was recognized for "his contributions to computer science in the
design and theory of compilers, and for major advances in the theory
and practice of high-performance computer systems.  RISC processors are
the essential building blocks for today's high-performance parallel
machines," in the words of the National Science Foundation (NSF).


"We are proud that John Cocke has been recognized with the nation's
highest scientific award," said IBM Chairman Louis V. Gerstner Jr.  "He
has been a towering presence in all aspects of computer science and
engineering for almost four decades.  He has inspired countless
individuals in IBM, academia and throughout the computer industry and has
personally created inventions of enduring value."


The National Medal of Science is administered for the White House by the
NScience Foundation.  Authorized by Congress in 1959, the medals
are bestowed periodically by the President in recognition of outstanding
contributions to the sciences.




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