The PITAC was appointed by President Clinton in 1997 to review the research and development programs in information technology funded by the federal government to determine whether these programs are meeting the needs of the nation. PITAC is determining whether current research and development programs are helping to maintain U.S. leadership in advanced computing and communications technologies and their applications. The committee submitted an interim report to the President last fall and a final report in February 1999 highlighting its findings. (See "Presidential Advisory Committee Report Spurs $366 Million Information Technology Initiative.")

Recipients of the CRA Distinguished Service Award have made outstanding service contributions to the computing research community. The award recognizes service in the areas of government affairs, professional societies, publications or conferences, and leadership that has a major impact on computing research.

The CRA is made up of more than 180 North American academic departments of computer science and computer engineering; laboratories and centers in industry, government, and academia engaging in basic computing research; and affiliated professional societies. For more information, see http://www.cra.org.