To the Community:

We write to express our distress about the killing of George Floyd by the police officers in Minneapolis, followed so soon after by the senseless and shocking killing of Rashard Brooks in Atlanta. We recognize these images evoke a range of raw emotions, including those of shock, anger, sadness and revulsion. The passionate national and local responses by a diverse group of people to these actions are expected given the long and continued pattern of racial injustice in the U.S. We recognize that for many in our communities these recent events in Minneapolis and Atlanta continue the feelings of fear within themselves and those that they love. This fear within our community exists, it is real and we need to support our colleagues, friends and family. Giving of our time and listening with an open mind is necessary to build the more perfect union we all want.

To our employees, as we return to work, please be sure to take the time you need to rest as we cope with this added stress, and to seek help if you need it. At the Pierce Laboratory, we will take this moment to look inward to examine how we can work toward improving our own record of inclusiveness and equality first by listening to our employees. We will ensure that people of color are welcome in the Laboratory and we will take personal responsibility for improving our own environment. We will ensure that discrimination of any form is not tolerated in our institution, and that every person that enters the Pierce Laboratory is valued and respected without exception.

Nina Stachenfeld
Chair, Diversity Committee

Vincent Pieribone
Director