[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 120 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S9603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. WENDELL WEART

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise to commend a fellow New 
Mexican, Dr. Wendell Weart. He is a remarkable scientist, an 
international authority on radioactive waste management, and the Senior 
Fellow at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 
After his distinguished career, he is retiring in October. His 
outstanding abilities have been crucial to the success of the world's 
first deep geologic repository for radioactive waste. It is highly 
appropriate that we recognize his contributions to that project and to 
the nation.
  The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico began receiving 
defense-program radioactive wastes in 1999. The process that led to its 
opening was long and difficult, requiring the solution of innumerable 
technical and social problems. Although many people contributed to the 
solution of those problems, Dr. Weart's role was paramount throughout.
  He led Sandia's technical support for the project from its beginnings 
in the early 1970s. In the early years his efforts were essential to 
the exploratory investigations and the final selection of the 
repository site. He then led the project through the conceptual design 
of the repository, through the formulation and implementation of the 
investigations that demonstrated the site's suitability, and through 
the arduous process of obtaining regulatory approvals. The rigorous 
scientific basis finally achieved for the repository was due in no 
small part to Dr. Weart's own scientific expertise and to his unmatched 
leadership.
  At least as important as these highly technical contributions was Dr. 
Weart's ability to instill confidence among the scientific community 
and the public. His skill in explaining complex issues, his 
truthfulness in all controversies, and his tireless patience in dealing 
with questions and frustrations for more than twenty-five years--all 
were indispensable contributions to the project. Without the trust Dr. 
Weart engendered, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, though 
scientifically well grounded, might still have failed to obtain 
scientific, regulatory, and social approval.
  The permanent disposal of radioactive wastes has proved intractable 
in many countries. Thanks largely to Wendell Weart, the United States 
now has an operating repository. Congress and the American taxpayers 
owe him our most sincere thanks and our best wishes.

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