Roberts to address Legislature on defense lab

Will speak Monday

? U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., will address a joint session of the Legislature on Monday about state attempts to land a new federal defense laboratory.

“Competition across the country for this facility is intense,” Roberts said. “However, Kansas is well positioned and fits the Department ofHomeland Security criteria.”

Eighteen sites in 14 states are vying for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. The two Kansas sites are Leavenworth and Manhattan.

Last week, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius appointed a task force to work on getting the lab to Kansas.

Roberts’ address will be 10 a.m. Monday in the House chamber.