Press Release-06-154, NRC Statement on Passing of Former President Ford
| ML063610426 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/27/2006 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs |
| To: | |
| Category:Press Release | |
| References | |
| Press Release-06-154 | |
| Download: ML063610426 (1) | |
Text
NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 E-mail: opa@nrc.gov Web Site: http://www.nrc.gov No.06-154 December 27, 2006 NRC STATEMENT ON PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT FORD The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission mourns the loss of former President Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States. He was a dedicated leader who worked tirelessly for the benefit of the American people - as President, Vice President and a longtime member of Congress. He will be missed.
One of his early accomplishments as President was signing the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 on Oct. 11 of that year, creating the NRC. The Act dissolved the Atomic Energy Commission and assigned its regulatory functions to the NRC, effectively separating the regulation of civilian commercial, industrial, academic and medical uses of nuclear materials from the promotion of nuclear power and development of military uses of nuclear energy.
In signing the Act, President Ford said, The highly technical nature of our nuclear facilities and the special potential hazards which are involved in the use of nuclear fuels fully warrant the creation of an independent and technically competent regulatory agency.... NRC will be fully empowered to see to it that reactors using nuclear materials will be properly and safely designed, constructed, and operated to guarantee against hazards to the public from leakage or accident.
In signing the Act, President Ford advanced the plan mandated by Congress for the NRC to enable the Nation to use radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes while ensuring that public health and safety, common defense and security, and the environment are protected. The Commission honors President Fords memory by taking this mission seriously and striving to carry it out every day.
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