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WRrTTEN OPENING STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE RAMSTAD 



Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing this morning. I also want to 

 thank the witnesses for the testimony on this important issue. 



While I understand the General Accounting Office's 9GAO) concern about the 

 condition of federal laboratories, I must say I have some concerns about the GAO's 

 recommendations for additional expenditures to upgrad the eight laboratories re- 

 viewed in the study. 



The poor condition of these facilities, despite the billions of federal dollars spent 

 on science research each year, concerns me deeply. 



That's why I am pleased to have Dr. Joseph Martino here to discuss privatizing 

 federal research. I certainly share the concern of many that federally funded research 

 is often simply a cover for pork barrel spending. 



Again, Mr. Chairman, I think you for holding this hearing and I look forward to 

 hearing the testimony of our distinguished witnesses. 



