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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release November 17, 1998

                PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCES 1998 BALDRIGE
                          QUALITY AWARD WINNERS

The President today announced the winners of the 1998 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Three companies -- Boeing Airlift and Tanker Programs, Long Beach, Calif.; Solar Turbines Inc., San Diego, Calif.; and Texas Nameplate Co. Inc., Dallas, Texas -- are being honored for their achievements in performance excellence.

"As America's standard for business excellence, the Baldrige Quality Award has become a driving force in helping U.S. firms achieve leadership in the world's competitive marketplace," the President said. "I congratulate the 1998 Baldrige Award winning companies for their commitment to, and aggressive pursuit of, excellence, and for their outstanding achievements in every aspect of their businesses."

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award was established by Congress in 1987 to enhance U.S. competitiveness by promoting quality awareness, recognizing quality and business achievements of U.S. companies, and publicizing these companies' successful performance. Starting in 1999, non-profit educational organizations and health care providers will be eligible to apply for the award. The program is managed by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology in conjunction with private industry. Screening of applications for the award is conducted by leading U.S. quality and business experts.

For further information, contact Jan Kosko, National Institute of Standards and Technology, (301) 975-2762.

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