[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 3 (Thursday, January 27, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: January 27, 1994]



                      TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH W. LaCOMB

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, in January 3, 1994, Mr. Joseph W. LaComb, a 
resident of Pahrump, NV, retired from the Defense Nuclear Agency [DNA] 
after almost 30 years of service. In his capacity as chief of the 
construction division, he was responsible for the safe and cost-
effective design of 20 underground nuclear tests for the Department of 
Defense and was associated with the construction and execution of 56 
tests since 1966.
  Mr. LaComb entered the Montana School of Mines in September 1951 and 
was awarded a B.S., mining engineering, in June 1955. He worked and 
gained experience as a miner, mining engineer, mine owner, supervisory 
geologist, soils engineer, testing laboratory manager, construction 
project engineer, and mining consultant prior to joining the Defense 
Nuclear Agency in 1966. He, in spite of all of the above, was also a 
pilot with the Strategic Air Command.
  While at DNA, Mr. LaComb was the prime factor in improving 
underground technology to support underground nuclear weapons effects 
testing programs. His guidance, dedication, expertise and attention to 
detail have kept the DNA testing programs within the international 
agreements of the 1962 Nuclear Atmospheric Test Ban Treaty.
  The early nuclear weapons effects test programs in the mid-1960's 
were initial attempts to duplicate atmospheric test conditions in an 
underground nuclear environment. Development of procedures for nuclear 
byproduct containment and the safe recovery of test articles after 
exposure were of paramount importance. Mr. LaComb initiated engineering 
programs to quantify the underground nuclear environment and to develop 
procedures for using the explosive energy for the controlled 
containment of radioactive debris. Through his leadership, it has 
become standard procedure to conduct underground nuclear weapons effect 
tests with little or no prompt release of radioactivity and with the 
capability of recovering test specimens within hours of the detonation.
  The DNA underground nuclear weapons effects test program has served 
to validate the reliability and effectiveness of our nuclear forces and 
has helped to insure the credibility of our nuclear deterrent.
  I wish to extend my recognition to Mr. LaComb, who did so much to 
help our country.

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