    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [September 25, 1995]
    [Pages 1487-1488]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1487]]

    Statement on the Future of Federal Laboratories
    September 25, 1995

        On May 5, 1994, I directed the Department of Defense, the Department
    of Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to
    review their major laboratories. These three laboratory systems account
    for approximately one-fifth of the Federal investment in research and
    development (R&D)--approximately $15 billion out of a total of about $70
    billion. I sought a study that would assess the continuing value of
    these laboratories in serving vital public needs, and I wanted an
    evaluation of options for change within these labs for the purpose of
    cutting costs and improving R&D productivity.
        Informed by that review, I am announcing today an initial set of
    directives which will affect these laboratories well into the future.
        I have concluded that these laboratories provide essential services
    to the Nation in fundamental science, national security, environmental
    protection and cleanup, and industrial competitiveness. Many of these
    laboratories are equipped with research tools that are among the finest
    in the world. They employ personnel with extraordinary and, in many
    cases, irreplaceable talent. These labs have contributed greatly to our
    Nation in the past and hold the potential for contributions of
    tremendous importance in the future.
        One example where the national laboratories can help change the
    course of history is with respect to nuclear weapons. On August 11,
    1995, I announced my decision to seek a ``zero'' yield Comprehensive
    Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). I was able to make that decision based on
    assurances by the Secretary of Energy and the Directors of the
    Department of Energy's nuclear weapons labs that we can meet the
    challenge of maintaining our nuclear deterrent under a CTBT through a
    science-based stockpile stewardship program without nuclear testing.
        To meet the challenge of ensuring confidence in the safety and
    reliability of our stockpile, I have concluded that the continued
    vitality of all three DOE nuclear weapons laboratories will be
    essential.
        In accordance with this conclusion, I have directed the Department
    of Energy to maintain nuclear weapons responsibilities and capabilities
    adequate to support the science-based stockpile stewardship program
    required to ensure continued confidence in the safety and reliability of
    the nuclear weapons stockpile in the absence of nuclear testing. Stable
    funding for this effort based on bipartisan support will be necessary in
    order to meet this requirement.
        Strong bipartisan support equally is necessary across a broad range
    of other science and technology programs being performed in Federal
    laboratories, academia, and the private sector. Since the beginning of
    my administration, we have placed a high priority on investments in
    science and technology. We believe that few areas of Federal spending
    will be more important to the well-being of future generations than R&D.
    We are deeply concerned about budget actions that could cripple our
    capacity to find new ways of solving the scientific and technological
    challenges of the 21st century.
        Among our greatest strengths as our Nation moves into the next
    century will be our ability to innovate, to design new drugs, to find
    new ways to enhance our national security, to develop new tools for
    managing enormous amounts of information, to generate new ways of
    harnessing energy, to produce new materials and processes that result in
    new products and industries at lower cost and with less pollution, and
    to expand the frontiers of our knowledge of the universe. These
    laboratories have excelled in such innovations as these and will
    continue to yield great public dividends for our Federal investment.
        At the same time, these labs must be run as efficiently as possible.
    I have directed the agencies to review and, as appropriate, to rescind
    internal management instructions and oversight that impede laboratory
    performance. I have directed the agencies to clarify and focus the
    mission assignments of their laboratories. I also have directed the
    agencies to achieve all possible budget savings through streamlining and
    management improvements before productive R&D programs are sacrificed.
    Many agencies and laboratories already are making important progress in
    each of these areas of management reform.

    [[Page 1488]]

        It has been said that R&D investments are an expression of our
    confidence as a Nation in our future. Today we are reaping the benefits
    of those who wisely invested in Federal R&D in the past. While it would
    be easy to destroy premier Federal laboratories through severe budget
    cuts or senseless closures, that is not a path that this administration
    will follow. We will invest in our Federal laboratories while pursuing
    aggressive management reforms that ensure the maximum productive output
    for the taxpayers' investments.