Watts Lauds Depot Field Hearing

Friday, March 23rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON, DC--U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, Jr. praised the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee for its field hearing on the current and future viability of depot-maintenance repair to be held Friday, March 23, 2001 at Corpus Christi Army Depot, TX.

The hearing will include nearly 20 witnesses, from the General Accounting Office as well the military and civilian leaders of the services` depots. Major General Charles L. Johnson, II, Commander of the Tinker Air Logistics Center will testify.

``I am pleased that my subcommittee has turned to the critical issue of our nation`s depots in its first hearing. The depots are a cornerstone of our national security posture and a pivotal component of our readiness,`` Watts said. ``As a member of the Depot Caucus, I have worked for years to ensure that the Pentagon remains committed to public depots as a national asset. We have wrestled through the difficult issues of defining core workload and establishing good policy for public-private partnership percentages. Oversight is ongoing, and today`s hearing is another step in that process.

``The Tinker Air Logistics Center plays an especially important role, and I am glad that General Johnson will be present to testify to that effect. I am pleased that the committee will explore the Air Force`s commitment to this essential element of our nation`s strength. Unfortunately, due to my children`s spring break schedule, I am unable to make the hearing, but I will be carefully reviewing the testimony and submitting questions for the record. This hearing makes an important contribution to our national security.``