8/9/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622
Monica Brase, [317] 327-3690 |
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Mayor Peterson to testify for new jobs at Fort Ben finance center before federal panel in DC
INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson will testify tomorrow before the federal Defense Base Closure & Realignment Commission (BRAC) in Washington D.C. and urge the panel to bring new jobs to the Indianapolis’ Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) center at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
He will join an impressive Indiana delegation that includes U.S. Richard Lugar, U.S. Reps. Julia Carson & Dan Burton and Gov. Mitch Daniels.
WHEN: Tomorrow - Wednesday, August 10; 8:30 a.m. EDT
WHERE: Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216; Washington, D.C.
The Mayor has spent the last several months lobbying for the Secretary of Defense’s recommendation to consolidate much of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) accounting services and jobs to DFAS-Indianapolis. The secretary’s recommendation could add thousands of jobs to the existing 3,000 at the center and have a significant impact on the Indianapolis economy.
In addition to today’s visit, Mayor Peterson, Deputy Mayor Melina Kennedy and other city officials have:
• Met with BRAC Chairman Anthony Principi in Washington;
• Met with BRAC Commissioners Lloyd Newton and Sam Skinner at DFAS-Indianapolis last week;
• Met personally with other Pentagon officials including national DFAS leaders;
• Written the entire commission in support of the secretary’s recommendation and submitted testimony at the commission hearing in St. Louis in June;
• Gathered the support of local universities, including Purdue University, the University of Indianapolis and IUPUI, to discuss the pool of potential employees for such an expansion; and
• Provided up-to-date information to the commission on the business case for DFAS consolidation and the quality of life and workforce in Indianapolis.
DFAS-Indianapolis was established in 1991 and has played an integral role in transforming the accounting, military pay, travel pay and commercial pay support services for the nation’s military personnel, civilians and retirees. It oversees 40 percent of DOD’s network including eight smaller DFAS facilities, disbursing more than $39 billion annually and providing services to 1.9 million people.
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