Posted on 01/15/2005 2:05:34 PM PST by Libloather
Sen. Clinton: Lab has proved its worth, but we can't take anything for granted
By STEVE JONES
Staff writer
Declaring that "no place is safe" in the upcoming round of military base closures and mission consolidations, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton vowed to "do everything that we can do to make sure the merits" of Rome Lab "are seen." New York's junior senator spoke before about 300 community leaders Friday afternoon at the Radisson Hotel in Utica.
Clinton put retention of the Air Force Research Laboratory at the top of her list of concerns during a speech to the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce.. The former first lady said defending the lab, as well as Northeast Air Defense Sector and Defense Finance and Accounting Services at Griffiss Park from this year's round of Base Realignment and Closure Commission targets is a top priority.
"We will do everything that we can do to make sure that the merits are seen. "It's imperative that we remain as focused and vigilant as possible. I'm hopeful, but we cannot take anything for granted. This goes way beyond anything on the agenda." The solidarity in support of the Rome facilities must assure "that merit drives the decision," she said, as these operations have proven their worth and importance.
"Politics intervene," she said, "not partisan politics, but regional politics." Therefore, government officials at all levels, businesses and citizens must advocate for this Mohawk Valley asset, she said. Also, the facilities are important because many private businesses at Griffiss Park are there "in part because of the military operations." The presence of the operations and businesses tied to them "hold great promise for the area."
In May, a list is expected to debut outlining the recommendations for the BRAC commission for closure and realignment. It was a BRAC ruling in 1993 that closed Griffiss Air Force Base. In 1995 Rome Lab was targeted by BRAC, but escaped closure.
Elected in 2000 as the first woman to represent New York in the Senate, Clinton said, "there has been a lot to do, and we can look with some satisfaction at what we have done, but it is safe to say there is more to do."
Among the items of importance to be resolved, the Westchester County Democrat noted Medicaid relief as one. "The Medicaid burden...is unsustainable," she said. Though she said she would prefer federal action to offset the mounting local share of the cost, the federal deficit and other needs such as military action in Iraq and Afghanistan have eaten up dollars. "The federal government has a responsibility to deal with this, but it will have to be in partnership with the state. We're heading for the perfect storm in health care. It's no longer only about the uninsured."
With Medicaid reform to relieve the county of its huge cost, "the Mohawk Valley can once again be a real engine of economic prosperity," she said
Why does that remind me of ashtrays?
HRC backing anything military?? What gives?? Oh forgot to wet my finger to see which way the wind blows. She did it because if she didn't the people who lost their job would want to fire her out to sea!
Hillary Revisted ping.
My family is from Rome, I grew up there. Most people from Rome CANNOT STAND carpet-bagger liberal socialist Sen. Clinton. SHE HATES THE MILITARY!
That base should have been TOTALLY closed years ago.
She's only doing this for political reasons, end of story. Hitlery would screw herself to get ahead.
shining her resume for 2008, I would think.
she has to screw herself since Bill won't touch her.....
What am I missing here? Nine months ago they were opening a brand-new 24+ million dollar research lab there and now the base is to be closed? Huh? (Of course, it goes without saying that I loathe The HildaBeast, and greatly distrust her motives on any subject...)
April 23, 2004
GOVERNOR PATAKI ATTENDS RIBBON-CUTTING AT NEW ROME RESEARCH LAB
http://www.nystar.state.ny.us/pr/04/press25-04.htm
New Facility Will Preserve Lab's Role in National Defense; Strengthen Mohawk Valley Economy
Governor George E. Pataki today joined Air Force General Gregory S. Martin, members of New York's Congressional Delegation and a host of State and local officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new $24.8 million state-of-the-art Air Research Laboratory at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome.
"The opening of this new state-of-the art Air Force Research Laboratory marks the culmination of our successful efforts to ensure that the Rome Research Site continues to play a vital role in securing our nation's defense," Governor Pataki said. "In 1995, we almost lost this major R&D facility -- but through a cooperative effort by the State, the Air Force, New York's Federal delegation and State and local officials from the Mohawk Valley, we have preserved Rome's foothold in the sector of national defense for decades to come."
"The significance of having this nationally recognized research and development center here in Rome will be critical in our ongoing efforts to attract new tenants and high-tech jobs to the Tech Park," Governor Pataki said. "As we bring more high-tech companies and jobs into the Park, we will strengthen the region's economy and move closer to our ambitious goal of creating one million new jobs in New York by the end of the decade."
Absolutely. She and Bubba haven't been seen in the same time zone since his White House exit, with the exception of his minor heart surgery. And I'm betting she bitched and moaned throughout that hospital stay and couldn't get the hell out of there fast enough.
Closing one lab - opening another? I dunno...
I'd hate to see our military go in the tank like those companies have...
Absolutely!
RADC? Wow, are you behind the times! LOL! The facility's name was changed to Rome Labs in the early 90s.
I spent four years there, working as IN and Exec. A couple of 4-stars were doing their best to close the place back then, and send all the work to Wright Labs.
I'm suprised Rome is still operational. From talking with friends who still live there, I doubt leaving the place open will do any good--Rome is a dying community; almost every place we used to go is now closed.
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