Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Writer: Wendy Jones, 706/542-6927, wfjones@uga.edu
Contact: Gary Bertsch, 706/542-2985, gbertsch@uga.edu Nunn and other experts tackle nuclear energy and security issues at UGA’s Russell Symposium Oct. 17
Athens, Ga. – Former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn will keynote the 2006 Richard B. Russell Symposium on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. in Masters Auditorium at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel on the University of Georgia campus.
Nunn now serves as co-chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a non-profit, non-partisan organization working to reduce the dangers from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. NTI is governed by an international board with members from 10 countries, including retired General Gene Habiger (U. S. Air Force), former Department of Energy “Security Czar” and former Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command. NTI is a place where leaders with different perspectives and experience come together to find common ground and act on a common vision of global security. Nunn will discuss the NTI’s recent proposal to contribute $50 million to the International Atomic Energy Agency to help create a low-enriched uranium stockpile to support nations that make the sovereign choice not to build indigenous nuclear fuel cycle capabilities.
Following Nunn’s address, Habiger; J. Barnie Beasley, CEO of the Southern Nuclear Operating Company; retired Admiral Frank “Skip” Bowman (U.S. Navy) CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute and former director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program - he was the third successor to Admiral Hyman G. Rickover in that command; and Joseph Cirincione, senior vice president for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress will participate in a panel discussion.
The symposium will explore national security issues raised by the increased demand for nuclear power as an energy source. Using their extensive expertise on nuclear security, the participants will address concerns about nuclear weapons proliferation, terrorism and other security threats related to nuclear power.
“Nuclear security is one of the most pressing issues faced by the nuclear energy sector today,” said Gary Bertsch, head of UGA’s Center for International Trade and Security and moderator of the panel. “We are delighted to have Senator Nunn and other distinguished experts sharing their views and experience at the Russell Symposium.”
Held biennially, the Russell Symposium is free and open to the public. It is sponsored jointly by UGA and the Richard B. Russell Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the memory of Russell, who served in the U.S. Senate for 38 years. Past symposium participants include Paul Coverdell, Dianne Feinstein, Jeanne Kirkpatrick, Brent Scowcroft, Robert McNamara, Jessica Mathews and James Schlesinger.
