WHO: Jay M. Cohen, Department of Homeland Security undersecretary for science and technology, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman James R. Langevin, University of Rhode Island President Robert L. Carothers, URI Professor of Chemistry Jimmie Oxley, director of a new federal center of excellence in explosives research at URI, as well as representatives of the U.S. military and federal, state and local law enforcement.
WHAT: Launch of Homeland Security Center of Excellence in Explosives Detection, Mitigation, Response and Characterization at the University of Rhode Island. Cohen will ignite a special display as part of the opening of the Center, which is funded by a $5.15 million, three-year Homeland Security grant. Northeastern University in Boston has received a separate Center award, but the two Centers are expected to be managed jointly. Also joining Cohen will be senior members of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, canine units from the New York Metropolitan Transport Police and the Massachusetts Police, Rhode Island State Police, Lifespan, and many others.
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008, 11 a.m.
WHERE: University of Rhode Island, Kingston Campus, second floor Great Room, Green Hall, 35 Campus Ave.
HOW: Call Dave Lavallee, URI Department of Communications and Marketing, to make coverage arrangements at 401-874-5862 or 401-874-2116.