Society News Archive

10 July 2006

Congressman Langevin Addresses the Plenary Session of the 51^st Annual HPS Meeting

Congressman James R. Langevin (D-2nd RI) was one of the featured speakers at the 51^st Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society. The meeting was held in Providence, Rhode Island, June 25-29, 2006, at the Providence Convention Center.

Congressman Langevin, lead Democrat on the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack in the US House of Representatives, thanked the Health Physics Society for its important mission of promoting radiation safety and then provided the approximately 1,000 attendees his perspective on the current state of the threat of nuclear terrorism. Langevin observed, "Through my work on the Homeland Security Committee and the Armed Services Committee, on which I also serve, I have become convinced that the nuclear terrorist threat is real, requiring the full and urgent attention of our government." He then expanded on his central theme that "the core of our efforts in the nuclear arena must focus on a three-pronged approach of prevention, detection, and response."

In addition to addressing the nuclear terrorism threat, the third-term Congressman also explained his work in Congress as "[ensuring] future generations inherit a top-notch education system, a strong economy, reliable and affordable health care, and a balanced federal budget," leaving the audience with the message that it is his "firm belief that challenges—whether personal or political—shouldn't derail us; they should empower us."

Click here for the complete text of Congressman Langevin's address.

Click here for HPS President McBurney's introduction/background of Congressman Langevin.