A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO COMPLETE A NEW CONTRACT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TO OPERATE LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY.

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

     WHEREAS, the laboratory has been a significant source of employment, economic stability and educational enrichment for generations of New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico recognizes the outstanding contributions of the university of California and stands ready to do its part to strengthen the relationship and contribute to a vision that will make all New Mexicans proud of the partnership among the university, the laboratory and the department of energy; and

     WHEREAS, the laboratory and university have made significant contributions to national security, global threat reduction and advancements in science and technology throughout the world; and

     WHEREAS, the current contract between the United States department of energy and the university of California to operate Los Alamos national laboratory ends on September 30, 2005;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States department of energy be requested to enter into a new 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, the president of the university of California and the director of Los Alamos national laboratory.