The speaker can open the speech by commenting on the current occasion and why it is important. For example, the award presentation may be occurring at a company dinner or a yearly conference event that has become central to the organization's history. The speaker should say something about the significance of the award, such as whom it was named after, or what it has come to symbolize. The speaker may also wish to mention the names of past recipients. The point of this is not to detract from the current recipient's special moment, but to signify that the recipient has entered into revered company.