I am very pleased with today’s decision by the Department of Energy to award the future management and operations contract for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC of which the University of California is a member. This decision will ensure that Livermore Laboratory continues to be one of the country’s leading research and development facilities.

For more than 50 years, the University of California has managed Livermore Laboratory, and we are delighted at the opportunity to continue playing a role in supporting the Laboratory’s mission of scientific achievement in the interests of national security and global cooperation. The Laboratory today is a premier research facility addressing challenges in areas ranging from homeland security to biotechnology to energy and the environment. The men and women at Lawrence Livermore have ably served our University and our nation in tackling some of our toughest scientific problems, and we are proud to be a part of a team that seeks to meet the highest standards of excellence in providing management for this distinguished community of scientists and staff.

Dr. George Miller has been designated Director of Livermore Laboratory under the new LLNS leadership. George is a national security and nuclear weapons expert and a leader in large-scale facilities management. George did an excellent job leading our team through the competition and I am confident that he is the right person to lead Livermore Laboratory into the exciting future. George will continue his role as the current LLNL Director and also will be working with the team to ensure a smooth transition.

I am excited that Texas A&M University is a part of our new team and believe that they will help us enhance our work in homeland security and non-proliferation.

Our team will now begin working closely with the Department of Energy and the Laboratory to coordinate a smooth transition to the new management team. The University of California in its capacity as current contractor, will work closely with the new team to ensure an effective transition that is least disruptive to the work of the laboratory and the men and women who serve there.

I would like to thank California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and members of the California Congressional delegation and the State legislature who strongly supported both the University and the LLNS team during this competition.

Today’s decision by the Department of Energy begins a new chapter in the rich history of Livermore Laboratory. While change does bring challenges, it also brings great opportunity. This is a moment of excitement and optimism for the future of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - an institution that has established a legacy of scientific and technological excellence, that has made tremendous contributions to our nation’s security, and that has a very bright future as it enters this new era of management.

# # #