Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Rep. Lamborn, Sen Udal, Sen Bennet Support AbilityOne BSC Program in Colorado

Airmen and women at Peterson AFB served at Envision Xpress AbilityOne Base Supply Center

Peterson Air Force Base Base Supply Store Celebrates Service to Military and Community

Colorado Springs, CO – Today, U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05), praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Envision Xpress Base Supply Center (BSC) in a letter of recognition presented at a 15th anniversary celebration at Peterson Air Force Base. The Envision Xpress BSC employs people who are blind or disabled who support the mission of airmen and women stationed at Peterson AFB.

Envision Xpress is one of 140 AbilityOne BSCs that provide mission support for ongoing base operations and outfitting for military deployments.

“On this 15th anniversary, I’m proud to recognize your part in AbilityOne’s invaluable efforts toward training and employment for more than 300 Americans who are blind across the country. I congratulate Envision Xpress for the good work they are doing not only on Peterson AFB, but throughout the country,” Rep. Lamborn said in a letter presented by John Herd, Rep. Lamborn’s regional director.

Colorado’s two U.S. Senators also had words of praise for the employees of the Envision Xpress BSC.

U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) also noted in a letter: “I am especially proud that Envision has effectively operated the AbilityOne Program here at Peterson Air Force Base, providing quality products to our service men and women and their families.”

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) emphasized the need for equal opportunities to jobs that the AbilityOne Program provides people who are blind: “The services that the Base Supply Center provides are invaluable tools for helping America’s visually impaired and severely disabled citizens find work.”

These employees produce and ship products, provide services and staff the BSCs. Additionally, service-disabled veterans and military dependents have the opportunity to join the AbilityOne team, where they continue to play a valuable role in the military communities that are significant to their lives.

“I know from meeting these employees that this isn’t just a job to them,” National Industries for the Blind President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch said. “Envision Xpress employees work every day to enhance their personal freedom, their economic freedom and America’s freedom as they support Peterson Air Force Base’s mission.”

The first BSC was opened in October 1995, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, by LC Industries, an NIB associated agency. Now there are 140 locations on military bases and in federal buildings in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“It has been incredible to watch not only this location grow, but also the aspirations of the employees at the Peterson BSC. I am honored to be a part of this great program that provides employment opportunities for people who are blind,” said Envision, Inc. CEO Linda K. Merrill-Parman, who oversees the operations of 15 BSCs around the country.

Government customers support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities with each purchase under the AbilityOne Program.

About the National Industries for the Blind
NIB’s (www.NIB.org) mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.

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