Time to celebrate 50 years of national service

At a time when the nation is focusing renewed attention on security, the Laboratory is marking its 50th year of national service.

On Sept. 2, 1952, the Livermore branch of the University of California Radiation Laboratory began operations with a small staff and a $3.5 million budget. Throughout 2002, we will take note of our golden anniversary, using the year as an opportunity to reflect on the Laboratory’s remarkable accomplishments and vital continuing mission, as well as the challenges Livermore faces.

The tragic events of Sept. 11 remind us of the need for vigilance in national security and the importance of strong programs with cutting-edge research and development at the NNSA laboratories. Many times over the last 50 years, the Laboratory has risen to the occasion to meet important challenges. It is a history marked by accomplishments — the products of vision and leadership of individual staff members, innovations arising from multidisciplinary teamwork, and the creative application of the Laboratory’s unique research capabilities.

People make the Laboratory what it is — people doing important, remarkable things, making and touching history.

The Laboratory’s 50th anniversary should be a time of remembrance, celebration, acknowledgement, and education. It is also appropriate to use the opportunity to establish a vision for our future. Publications, invited speakers, special events and strategic planning activities will provide venues for reflecting on our past and exploring implications for the future. Our goal is to broadly involve Livermore employees in 50th anniversary activities and to engage Lab retirees, our neighbors, and our sponsors and supporters.

I have asked Tom Isaacs, director of the Policy, Planning and Special Studies Office, to coordinate planning associated with the 50th anniversary. Overall, I envision the celebratory activities to consist of a variety of Laboratory-wide undertakings. Wherever practical, we should also leverage conferences and other activities being planned within Laboratory programs, using these events to reflect on our role as a national laboratory and consider our future.

We envision an exciting year made memorable by contributions from across the Laboratory. We need your ideas and help in planning and executing activities as well as information about your upcoming events that align with the 50th anniversary theme of continuing service to the nation. Please contact Tom Isaacs, 2-4608, who is coordinating activities and developing 50th anniversary institutional materials for general use.