Sponsored by Minneapolis, Minnesota-based RCI, Ltd., the award recognizes the year's major activity considered by industry leaders to have the most significant impact on and vision for HPCC.

"We consider your clear vision and tireless leadership of the PITAC, leading to the production of the landmark report, to be that activity," says RCI President J. Richard Sherman of Kennedy's accomplishments.

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. The PITAC determined 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 a final report in February 1999 highlighting its findings. (See Spring/Summer 1999 Parallel Computing Research, "Presidential Advisory Committee Report Spurs $366 Million Information Technology Initiative.")

The 1999 Seymour Cray HPPC Industry Recognition Award was presented at the RCI Third Annual Seymour Cray HPCC Industry Award Banquet on November 3, 1999, at the Hilton Alexandria at Mark Center, Alexandria, Virginia.

RCI, Ltd. is a research-based consortium of HPCC users and vendors working with staff, industry and technology experts to better understand and manage the issues facing the HPCC marketplace. For more information, see www.rciltd.com