[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14844]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Los Alamos 
National Laboratory for its part in completing the 100th genome 
sequence. Like the Human Genome Project, this achievement serves as a 
constant reminder of the possibilities before us and a step forward in 
scientific knowledge. The scientists of Los Alamos National Lab 
constantly achieve excellence through their various endeavors, and I am 
proud of their contribution to this vast project. This well-deserved 
recognition highlights their continuing dedication to serving this 
country through research in health and environment-related fields.
  Los Alamos National Laboratory has championed the advancement of 
national security for over 60 years. In the tumultuous times of World 
War II, it stood as our Nation's front line in acquiring a superior 
tool with which we could be certain that freedom would prevail. 
However, once its mission was complete it continued to pursue the 
advancement of American security and research. What began as an 
installation solely focused on the creation of an atomic bomb has 
developed into a diverse and advanced institution dedicated to securing 
our nuclear ordinance, combating the effectiveness of weapons of mass 
destruction, and addressing many problems in areas such as energy and 
health.
  Los Alamos National Laboratory serves as one of five national 
laboratories working with the Department of Energy to sequence genomes. 
Labeled the Joint Genome Institute, this group of research institutions 
first helped to complete the Human Genome Project, which has since been 
called one of the greatest scientific advances of our time. The 
benefits of this outstanding achievement are many. For example, we can 
now match organ donors and recipients with less uncertainty and even 
diagnose disease more efficiently.
  Over the years, the mission of the Genome Project has oriented itself 
towards other vital interests. The Joint Genome Institute is now 
targeting specific animals and microbes with traits that, if harnessed, 
could aid in areas such as biotechnology, alternative fuels, and the 
environment. For example, the organism just completed has shown 
potential in aiding the cleanup of uranium-contaminated areas. This 
application would greatly benefit Los Alamos itself, which has several 
radioactive wastesites.
  In the past, I have strongly supported the research of Los Alamos 
National Laboratory and the advancement of the Genome Project and have 
helped each of them secure defense and biotechnology funding. In 
return, their research has yielded important advances in areas such as 
health, energy, and the environment. Furthermore, the continuing 
excellence of Los Alamos National Laboratory has led to the creation of 
many jobs in the northern New Mexico region. Los Alamos continues to 
succeed in its purpose of national service, and I am pleased to offer 
my support and congratulations for their contribution to the 100th mark 
in the Genome Project.

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