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1 SINCE 1896 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2015 HAMPTON WOMAN TO BE HONORED BY PRESIDENT Former NASA Langley mathematician to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom 'EXCEPTIONAL TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP': Katherine Johnson was a mathematician at NASA Langley Research Center for 33 years, daily press file photo By Sarah J. Ketchum sketchumdailypress.com A longtime NASA Langley mathematician was named a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Monday. Katherine Johnson will be one of 17 to receive the honor when the awards are presented by President Ba-rack Obama on Nov. 24, according to a White House PENINSULA OFFICIALS: REGION DISASTER-READY news re- Online lease. "I look forward to presenting these 17 distinguished Americans with our nation's high See a video interview with Katherine Johnson at dailypress est civilian honor," Obama said in the release.

The annual awards are given to those who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors, the release states. Johnson worked as a mathematician at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton for 33 years. She was selected for the award for her "exceptional technical leadership" having influenced every major space program from Mercury through the Shuttle See AWARDPage 4 ADRIN SNIDERDAILY PRESS PHOTOS Doug Smith, emergency operations officer with Riverside Health System, stands with a decontamination tent and rolling cabinets fully equipped to supply response teams in an emergency. Riverside Regional Medical Center has a variety of devices to measure exposure to radiation. Network coordinates, trains to ensure immediate and organized response INSIDE NAVY A BOOST FOR REGION Data released Monday shows the Navy's direct economic impact on Hampton Roads increased 8.3 percent last year.

Page 4 of News MORE ROOMS FOR MARRIOTT Marriott International is becoming larger, taking over rival chain Starwood, which includes Sheraton, Westin and St. Regis. Page 8 of News CUP FIELD SET Advancing into the NASCAR championship field next week will be Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and Jeff Gordon. Page 1 of Sports would be immediate and organized.

"Most of it really happens behind the scenes, but we're prepped and we're ready' said Doug Smith, who manages emergency operations with Riverside Health System. Hospitals in the area are able to handle what Smith calls "surge events" a sudden influx of people pouring into the hospital A level-one surge takes up all the available beds, Smith said. A level See DISASTERPage 4 By Ryan Murphy and Sarah J. Ketchum rmurphydailypress.com sketchumdailypress.com Peninsula-area officials and first responders say they are prepared should terrorist violence like Friday's attacks in Paris ever hit Hampton Roads. A network of hospitals, police departments, municipal emergency operations centers, and fire and rescue services all coordinate and train to ensure that if it becomes necessary, the response Tnsiflp ee tne 'atest on tne investigation into the Paris terror strikes, as well are more on the victims in OnllllC See video and more photos at dailypress.com.

66 56 REPUBLICANS CALL FOR SYRIAN REFUGEE MORATORIUM IN VIRGINIA Governor's administration expresses confidence in security checks for those resettled 2,000 Approximate number of Syrian refugees who have migrated to the U.S. in the last few years. 10,000 Number of refugees the president has pledged to take in during this fiscal year. Visit us online dailypress.com Like the Daily Press facebook.com dailypressnews Follow us twitter.comDailyPress Price: $L50 conflict in the Middle East and unconfirmed reports that at least one Paris attacker moved about Europe by hiding in the massive migrant wave there. The McAuliffe administration voiced confidence in the federal checks and said Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran has been told to ensure that "every proper precaution is taken to keep Virginians safe." The state has taken few Syrian refugees so far, and it's unclear how likely a destination Virginia will be as migration to the United States By Travis Fain tfaindailypress.com RICHMOND Virginia will continue to resettle Syrian refugees in the state, Gov.

Terry McAuliffe's administration said Monday as governors around the country promised every attempt to keep them out after Friday's terrorist attacks. Four Virginia House Republicans called on McAuliffe to reconsider and said they would put forward legislation in the coming session aimed at creating increases. The administration's statement was brief, and the governor himself is traveling now in the Middle East as part of an economic development mission. McAuliffe's Twitter account Monday featured pictures of his various meetings from the trip, including a sit-down with the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. Republican House Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo and Del.

See GOPPage 4 a two-year moratorium on reset-dements here. The call is driven by fears that federal authorities can't hope to vet people fleeing.