“If we can determine the source of nuclear material, we can better attack smuggling networks and plug the security holes that allow deadly material to be obtained in the first place,” Schiff said. “Nuclear states like North Korea may be deterred from transferring nuclear material if they know it can be traced back to them.”
The center, if established by the president, would award scholarships and faculty grants to inspire more field research.
Democrat drops out of Assembly race
A crowded field of Democrats vying to replace Paul Krekorian as representative of the 43rd Assembly District shrank by one this week after Andrew Westall dropped out of the race to stick with his job at Los Angeles City Hall.
Westall, who was one of four Democrats campaigning ahead of the April 13 special primary election, said in a letter to supporters that he decided to stay on as a senior deputy for L.A. Councilman Herb Wesson after the representative’s chief of staff died.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life, and I make it without reservation, regret or purpose of evasion,” Westall said in the letter, later adding, “I am proud of the work I have accomplished in my career, and I would have taken great pride in utilizing those skills and experience to help fix the state of California and get us back on the right track had I been elected. But life, and fate as it seems, had different ideas.”
In stepping out of the race, Westall threw his support behind fellow Democrat Nayiri Nahabedian, who serves as a member of the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education.
“She is the only candidate in this race that I trust to represent the people of the 43rd District, and she has my full confidence and support,” he said.
