American Nobel Laureates Honored at Theodore Roosevelt Park

New inscriptions to the nation's only Nobel Monument were unveiled on Thursday, September 27, by Parks & Recreation Commissioner Veronica White, Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S. Jonas Hafström, Ambassador of Norway to the U.S. Wegger Chr. Strommen, Commissioner of the New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol Marjorie Tiven, and Council Member Gale Brewer. They were joined by Dr. Bruce A. Beutler, Nobel Laureate in Medicine of 2011, and Dr. Christopher A. Sims, Nobel Laureate in Economics of 2011, who spoke at the ceremony. Also in attendance was Dr. Adam G. Riess, Nobel Laureate in Physics of 2011 and Robert Wilson, Nobel Laureate in Physics of 1978.

"The parks of New York City are home to numerous monuments, both large and modest, from commemorative plaques to triumphal arches – but the Nobel Monument in Theodore Roosevelt Park is unique in that it honors intellectual achievement," said Commissioner White. "We are proud to pay tribute to the seven newest American Laureates by adding their names to this grand monument, so that New Yorkers and visitors alike may reflect on their vast contributions to society."

No other country has had as many Nobel Prize recipients as the United States since the awards were first presented in 1901. The first American to be awarded the Nobel Prize was President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Since then, 327 Americans have had universal recognition of their achievements in physics, chemistry, literature, economy, physiology/medicine and for work in peace.

The American Nobel Laureates of 2011, whose name inscriptions were unveiled on the monument, are:

Saul Perlmutter, Physics
Brian P. Schmidt, Physics
Adam G. Riess, Physics
Bruce A. Beutler, Medicine
Ralph M. Steinman, Medicine
Thomas J. Sargent, Economics
Christopher A. Sims, Economics

The Nobel Monument was erected in 2003 in a joint project initiated and overseen by the
Consulate General of Sweden and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation with the purpose of honoring all American Nobel Laureates as well as the founder of the Nobel Prize, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. The monument was fittingly placed in the park named after President Roosevelt, the United States' very first recipient of the Nobel Prize. It is the only monument in a City park with the names of living persons inscribed.

The monument, which now includes the names of all 327 American Nobel Laureates, was designed by renowned Swedish sculptor Sivert Lindblom and financed through the generous support of Merck Company Foundation, Skanska, Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, Ambassador and Mrs. Lyndon L. Olson Jr., and NCR Corporation.

Please visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/ for more information on events at about in the parks.