Brookhaven Organization of Scientists
P. O. Box 929
Upton NY 11973

Sidney H. Kahana, President
Tel: 516-344-3738
Gerry M. Bunce, Vice President
Stephen L. Dewey, Secretary
Alfredo U. Luccio, Treasurer
Stephen E. Schwartz, Past President

April 21, 2000

Mr. Bill Richardson
Secretary
Department of Energy
Forrestal 7B-252
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20585

By Facsimile

Dear Mr. Secretary:

As present and past officers of the Brookhaven Organization of Scientists and as scientists at
Brookhaven National Laboratory we wish to commend you on the policy you announced on your visit
here last month that scientists and others not involved in classified work not be required to wear
identifying badges.

It is our view that requiring scientists to wear badges, especially badges prominently identifying foreign
nationals, would inhibit the free exchange of ideas, one of the cornerstones of good science. It is our
view further that this requirement would discourage both American and foreign scientists from working
at laboratories at which it is required to wear such badges. We need not remind you that foreign
scientists have made, and continue to make, outstanding contributions to the science that is conducted at
the Department of Energy laboratories. We also see such badges as undermining efforts to eliminate and
prevent racial profiling. For all these reasons mandatory badging would be inimical to the Department's
objective of nurturing the best possible science and indeed to the highest American ideals of freedom of
expression and association.

We are thus gratified in your concurrence in this position, and we look forward to working together with
you toward the mutual objective of the best possible science for America.

Sincerely yours,

cc:

Ernest J. Moniz, Under Secretary
James F. Decker, Acting Director, Office of Science
John Marburger, Director, Brookhaven National Laboratory

Brookhaven Organization of Scientists is an association of scientists and engineers at Brookhaven National Laboratory
dedicated to keeping BNL "A place where superb science flourishes."Brookhaven Organization of Scientists is not affiliated
with Brookhaven National Laboratory or the Department of Energy.