[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 130 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1746-E1747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE ABILITYONE PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 24, 2010

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
more than three years of service provided by the Marine Corps Air 
Station Cherry Point Base Supply Center (BSC) and to applaud the 15th 
anniversary of the AbilityOne BSC Program.
  AbilityOne BSCs are retail stores located on military installations 
and in federal buildings. Operated through the AbilityOne Program, BSCs 
fulfill a dual purpose: supporting training and employment 
opportunities for people who

[[Page E1747]]

have significant disabilities and meeting the procurement needs of 
military and federal consumers.
  The AbilityOne Program is administered by the Committee for Purchase 
from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (``the Committee''). 
Each BSC is added to the Committee's Procurement List as an AbilityOne 
Program ``service'' project, which ensures that the establishment of a 
BSC helps accomplish the AbilityOne Program's employment mission.
  AbilityOne BSCs harness the collective resources of a nationwide 
network of providers to supply superior products and services to 
government customers through a commercial retail-type setting. Since 
the launch of the first BSC in 1995, government customers have 
appreciated convenient access to thousands of high-quality, 
competitively priced SKILCRAFT' and other name brand 
products as well as Hazmat, Individual Equipment Element, and other 
services.
  Purchases from AbilityOne BSCs support the employment of qualified 
professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities. These 
employees produce and ship products, provide services, and staff the 
BSCs. Furthermore, 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.
  BSCs partner with the leadership at each location to satisfy the 
specific needs of base and installation personnel. Today, BSCs are 
located on over 138 federal installations nationwide.
  The AbilityOne Program works with two Central Nonprofit Agencies, 
National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH. NIB and NISH operate 
under the direction of the Committee and oversee a network of over six 
hundred associated nonprofit agencies to provide employment 
opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe 
disabilities. AbilityOne purchases from federal government and military 
consumers generate revenue used to fund training and employment 
programs for people with severe disabilities. Employing over 45,000 
people with disabilities, the AbilityOne Program is the largest 
employer of people with disabilities in the country.
  I am proud to represent the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point 
BSC. On this 15th anniversary of the AbilityOne BSC Program, we should 
all take a moment to visit our local BSC or associated agency to better 
understand the good work they are doing in our communities.

                          ____________________