SYRACUSE, NY (WSKG) - Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has been touring military bases across the state. This week, one of her stops took her to Rome Lab and the Defense Finance and Accounting Services office at the Griffiss Business Park.
Gillibrand said it’s important for her, as one of the senior members of the Senate Armed Services Committee to visit the military offices across the state. Rome in particular, is an important cog in the nation’s overall security mission.
"The mission and expansion of the issue that Rome Labs is in the forefront of is very important to our war fighter," Gillibrand said. "To have the most state of the art technology, to have cutting edge research, to be able to collaborate effectively with the private sector is the difference between winning and losing and the difference in our national security."
Gillibrand noted Rome Labs is involved with partnerships across the country.
"With about a dozen other bases, and at least two dozen private sector technology companies. And part of my assessment over the next six to nine months is going to be going to each of these places to see how important this mission at Rome Labs and all across the state is to long-term national security, especially cyber and the space mission."
Gillibrand said those issues in particular will ensure the vitality of Rome Labs in the future. Along with Fort Drum, Gillibrand is also touching down in bases in the Hudson Valley and Long Island during her current swing.