Political Quotes

“my friend and colleague from New York has elucidated the travesty that befell Plattsburgh and our State 2 years ago. It was the most parochial of decisions made by that Commission, and one for which they will long be remembered. I still recall the findings of the BRAC staff on a screen overhead, showing clearly that Plattsburgh had greater military value than McGuire. But that did not trouble much of anyone on the dais. This year the Commissioners have the opportunity, and the obligation, to improve on the record of the 1993 group. The Air Force has proposed to move the finest laboratory in the Defense research establishment, Rome Laboratory, to Hanscom Air Force Base near Boston and to the Army's electronics laboratory in Fort Monmouth, NJ. Rome Laboratory has produced three generations of scientists in its 45-year connection with central New York. According to the Air Force, moving half of it one State east and half of it one State south is expected to save $12 million per year. I have asked for an explanation of that claim, but say it is correct. For $12 million annually we are to give up the established relationships between the lab and the ellipse of universities and industry in the region that have helped Rome to its numerous successes. For $12 million annually we are to lose probably half the civilian staff of scientists who, by measure of similar situations with other labs, will leave the laboratory rather than move with it.”