Orrin Hatch: “today it is an honor and a privilege to rise and congratulate the men and women of L-3's Communication Systems- West on…”

“today it is an honor and a privilege to rise and congratulate the men and women of L-3's Communication Systems- West on the 50th anniversary of that company's arrival in Utah. I realize that many outside of the state of Utah might not have heard of L-3's Communication Systems-West, but no one can dispute the strategic advantages that this company has provided to our Nation's men and women in uniform. Much of the work that Communication Systems-West performs is of a highly classified nature. However, I can say that the real-time, world-wide dissemination of images and information gathered by the U-2 and our new unmanned aerial vehicles, such as Global Hawk and the Predator, is only possible because of the hard work by the people at Communication Systems-West. For example in 2001, Communication Systems-West was awarded the Collier Award for producing the airborne integrated communications system for the Global Hawk. As my colleagues may know, the Collier Trophy is the National Aeronautic Associations' highest honor for that year's greatest American aeronautical achievement. Other examples of Communication Systems-West outstanding work can be found in the SATCOM Tri-Band Satellite Earth Terminals and the ROVER III Remote Operations Video Enhanced Receiver system that are deployed with our forces today.…”