Symbol Technologies' Chairman and Chief Scientist Elected to National Academy of Engineering

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) today announced that of Symbol Technologies, Inc., has been inducted into the Academy. Election to the NAE is considered the highest professional distinction accorded an engineer. The NAE is part of the National Academies that includes the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine.

Swartz was cited by the NAE for outstanding achievements for developing and bringing to market, "bar code technologies, including laser scanners, and wireless data capture."

"We're honoring Dr. Swartz and others who have made important contributions to engineering theory and practice, and have demonstrated outstanding accomplishment in pioneering and developing new fields of technology," said Dr. Wm. A. Wulf, president, National Academy of Engineering.

Swartz was feted yesterday in Washington, D.C., by the NAE.

He co-founded Symbol in 1975 and still serves as its Chief Scientist. Under his leadership, Symbol was awarded this year's National Medal of Technology, the nation's highest honor for technology innovation. Symbol is only the 11th corporate recipient in the 20-year history of that award and the only company to win this year. Swartz received the from President Clinton at a ceremony at the White House on March 14, 2000.

Swartz was named an IEEE Fellow in 1996 and received the IEEE's Ernst Weber Leadership Award in1998. He is a member of the Board at SUNY, Stony Brook and a Trustee at New York's Polytechnic University. The seven-year old Swartz Foundation funds research in computational neuroscience. He is credited with more than 150 issued and allowed U.S. patents.