Domenici: A strong leader, supporter of LANL
The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere condolences to former Sen. Pete Domenici’s family and to all those who mourn the passing of a much-respected leader and public servant.
As we reflect on Domenici’s steadfast service to Northern New Mexico communities, we are reminded of the senator’s commitment to the Los Alamos National Laboratory national security mission.
Domenici was New Mexico’s longestserving U.S. senator, with 36 years of tireless advocacy for our national laboratories, nuclear nonproliferation, energy, budget processes and countless other policy initiatives for the benefit of New Mexico citizens.
“Beloved at Los Alamos for decades, no one has better understood and supported the essential and enduring national security mission of Los Alamos better than Sen. Pete Domenici,” remarked LANL Director Charles McMillan. He was extremely supportive of implementing state-of-theart supercomputing facilities at LANL for efforts in national security, health and science advancements, along with encouraging the increase in lab technical capabilities to counter international threats. Among these accomplishments, the senator was instrumental in establishing new national science programs, including the Human Genome Project.
“Not often do we get to see one person’s legacy so present in the lives of thousands of people. Pete Domenici stands with few as a statesman and New Mexican. His advocacy and belief in economic opportunity and prosperity for New Mexicans was seen and felt through his legislative support of our National Laboratories,” said Regional Coalition chairman, Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales.
During his tenure as senator, Domenici also served as chairman and ranking minority member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where he strongly advocated for nuclear energy through two major energy bills, including the landmark 2005 Energy Policy Act.
Even in retirement, he continued an active role in policy reform as a senior fellow and co-chairman of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Task Force on Defense Budget and Strategy, Debt Reduction Task Force and Health Care Cost Containment Initiative. Domenici’s dedication and well-earned respect at home and in Washington, D.C., allowed him to have far-reaching impacts in lawmaking for which we will continue to reap the benefits for decades to come.
Andrea D. Romero is executive director of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities. Scarlet B. Rendleman is communications and administrative manager of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities. The Regional Coalition is comprised of nine cities, towns, counties and pueblos surrounding Los Alamos National Laboratory. The 2017 board of directors includes chairman, Mayor Javier Gonzales, city of Santa Fe; vice chairman, Commissioner Barney Trujillo, Rio Arriba County; treasurer, Commissioner Henry Roybal, Santa Fe County; secretary, Councilor Chris Chandler, Los Alamos County; Mayor Alice Lucero, city of Española; Councilor Darien Fernández, Town of Taos; Commissioner Mark Gallegos, Taos County; Rep. Ron Lovato, Ohkay Owingeh; and Lt. Gov. Ward Yeppa, Pueblo of Jemez.