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Dear all,</div>
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On behalf of Hall B, it is a privilege and an honor to congratulate Volker Burkert for receiving the American Physical Society’s Tom W. Bonner Prize in Nuclear Physics. While the APS has recognized his “<i>exemplary leadership in the development of high-performance
instrumentation for large acceptance spectrometers</i>” we all are well aware that Volker contributed much more than that to the development of CLAS12. Volker was indispensable in shaping the physics program, in communicating the need for transforming CLAS
into CLAS12, and in defining the performance requirements, thereby creating the worldwide only dedicated large acceptance detector for fixed target electron scattering experiments. Under his leadership, Hall B has developed an outstanding record of achievements
both in hadronic physics science and detector technology. </div>
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Let us thank Volker for his commitment and dedication. He has been a formidable representative and leader of Hall B. His work - in the fine words of the APS - “e<i>nabled breakthroughs in fundamental nuclear physics through electroproduction measurements of
exclusive processes.</i>” I am sure that in the years to come, many more physics insights will stem from his contributions. I don’t know a single person who would deserve better this prestigious prize. This highest honor of the APS in experimental research
in nuclear physics is recognizing Volker’s outstanding scientific and technological achievements, his dedication to the advancement of science, and his service to the scientific community.</div>
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Thanks,</div>
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Patrick</div>
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