for immediate release: Tuesday,
September 20, 2005
THE CWWG AND CRAIG WILLIAMS
OFFICIALLY HONORED BY U.S. SENATE
Sen. McConnell Offers Tribute to Citizens' Group and Its Director
The United States Senate last week paid special
tribute to the Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) and the organization's
Director, Craig Williams for two decades of "invaluable" efforts to "ensure
that the millions of pounds of chemical weapons stored at Kentucky's Blue
Grass Army Depot are destroyed as safely and expeditiously as possible."
The tribute, offered by Senator Mitch McConnell, noted that Williams and
the CWWG have been indispensable in helping him keep Department of Defense
(DOD) officials accountable to the citizens of Kentucky--one of the biggest
challenges he has faced in trying to ensure the weapons disposal stays on
track in Kentucky. He said, "It hasn't been easy. Without the
efforts and diligence of Craig and his organization, it would have been close
to impossible to hold DOD to the commitments it has made to the local community."
In particular, McConnell emphasized the close watch that Williams has kept
on Kentucky's chemical demilitarization project and how important that scrutiny
has been to members of the KY Congressional delegation in their relationship
with the local community they represent. He commented, "Craig has been
another set of eyes and ears for the Kentucky delegation, keeping us abreast
of what is going on--or not going on--at the depot. In this regard,
Craig has been at the vanguard of a unique public/private partnership between
the citizens of Madison County and its elected representatives."
To conclude his tribute, McConnell said, "All of us in the Commonwealth
of Kentucky owe Craig and the CWWG a substantial debt of gratitude for their
tireless work to protect the health and safety of the public, the depot workers,
and the local environment."
The Senator's tribute is considered a singular honor for the CWWG and Williams.
In responding to the news, Williams said, "All of us here at the CWWG are
tremendously appreciative of Senator McConnell's strongly-worded tribute
to our efforts. It has certainly been a unique working relationship
between him and the CWWG that has succeeded remarkably because of the trust
that has been established and maintained over years. We thank him for
his ongoing and untiring work on behalf of our entire community and appreciate
his kind words."
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