Events & Activities - Rome Air Force Research Lab Ribbon-cutting Ceremony - April 23, 2004

Senator Hoffmann joined state, local and military officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony opening Rome Lab's consolidated operations at Griffiss Business and Technology Park. Among those also in attendance were Governor George E. Pataki, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Congressmann Sherwood Boehlert (R-New Hartford), Senator Ray Meier (R-Utica), Rome Mayor James F. Brown and Oneida County Executive Joe Griffo. The new, 105,000 square-foot facility will house more than 300 government employees and contractors. It is the centerpiece of a $24.8 million program that included modifications to the adjacent building and site enhancements. "Today's ribbon-cutting ceremony demonstrates the resilience of the Rome community. While other communities might have easily lost their spirit and clung to the memories of the past, Rome continues to move foward. Under the leadership of Governor Pataki, a bipartisan effort has saved over fourteen-hundred jobs and created the foundation for future development," said Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann. Visit the Rome Air Force Research Laboratory website. Senator Hoffmann with City of Rome Mayor James Brown and Air Force Materiel Command Commander Gregory Martin. Senator Hoffmann listens as Governor George Pataki explains to guests of the ribbon-cutting ceremony that the new research lab will strengthen the region's economy and will bring many high-tech jobs to the area. Senator Hoffmann talks with Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R- New Hartford) (r) and Senator Raymond Meier (R-Utica). Senator Hoffmann speaks with United States Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) (l) and Oneida County Executive Joe Griffo. Senator Hoffmann along with Oneida County Executive Joe Griffo (seated to the right of Senator Hoffmann) and Rome Mayor James Brown (seated to the right of Joe Griffo), applaud as the ribbon-cutting ceremony commences. Congressman Sherwood Boehlert addresses the audience during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Today's ceremony to open this state-of-the-art Air Research Laboratory marks the culmination of our successful efforts to ensure that the Rome Research Site continues to play a vital role in securing our nation's defense," said Governor Pataki. Rome Research Laboratory Tour Senator Hoffmann and other local, state and federal officials proceed in the actual physical cutting of the ribbon for the new Rome Research Laboratory. Senator Hoffmann chats with General Gregory Martin at the start of the tour of the new Air Force Research Laboratory. General Martin shows Senator Hoffmann some of the latest equipment being used in the Air Force Research Lab. Senator Hoffmann listens as Cole Innovations Chief Operating Officer Jeannine D. Rose explains her companies role in Project MARTIN. Project MARTIN is designed to improve the capabilities of wireless intrusion detection in operational Air Force networks. Scott Adams, an engineer in the AFRL Information and Intelligence Exploitation Division, explains to Senator Hoffmann what "Stego" is. "Stego" is short for steganography, which derives from Greek, meaning "covered writing". The Air Force is using stenganography in the digital computer age by hiding information in a digital photograph. To the normal eye, the image and image file size would look and appear just like a regular file, but with the proper software, information can be embedded into the image by the sender and retrieved by the recepient. Senator Hoffmann talks with New York State Trooper G.E. Kropf. Program Manger for Chem-Bio Defense & Response Systems, Joel Brown educates Senator Hoffmann on maintaining operations tempo in a battlespace after chem-bio or conventional attack. Return to Events Listing