46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO CONTINUE ITS CONTRACT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TO OPERATE LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY.

WHEREAS, for sixty years, the university of California has been synonymous with Los Alamos national laboratory as the university has managed the prestigious scientific center under a contract with the United States department of energy; and

WHEREAS, recent laboratory business and management practices have been problematic, and the university's hands-off management approach provided no real oversight and delegated too much authority to laboratory directors; and

WHEREAS, the university of California has more recently shown that it is improving its management of the laboratory, and a change in management at this time could hurt national security and research and, in some cases, decimate scientific programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States department of energy be requested to continue its contract with the university of California to operate Los Alamos national laboratory; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the United States secretary of energy, the president pro tempore of the senate of the state of California and the director of Los Alamos national laboratory.