Statement from George P. (Pete) Nanos, Interim Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Contact: Linn Tytler, ltytler@lanl.gov, (505) 667-7000 (03-061)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., April 30, 2003 -- The following comments from George P. (Pete) Nanos, interim director, Los Alamos National Laboratory, are provided in response to the statement issued by Department of Energy Secretary Abraham concerning the future management contract process for Los Alamos National Laboratory:

"As I told laboratory employees earlier this morning, every employee in this laboratory who has worked extremely hard over the past four months should take heart. Today's announcement by the Department of Energy recognizes the significant improvements that have been made because it allows the University of California to continue in its role as laboratory manager through the end of the current contract. In addition, the Department is urging UC to compete for contract renewal, thus showing they recognize the value of UC to this laboratory's mission.

"We now have an opportunity to build on our successes. We will continue to show the world that we are the premier nuclear weapons laboratory, and that our business processes, program management and other administrative efforts will be the equal of our scientific excellence. We will ensure that our most important job — that of ensuring the capability of the nation's nuclear stockpile — is done to the very best of our collective abilities. And we will continue on the path toward the many important process improvements we have undertaken.

"I am deeply grateful for the tremendous commitment to this laboratory and its mission for the nation's security shown by every laboratory employee. Together, we will continue to fulfill that mission."

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.

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