Today, Rep. Joseph Heck (R-NV), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, made the following remarks on the hearing titled "View on Commissary Reform:"
"We are here today to hear from military service organizations and the grocery retail industry on the value of the commissary system to beneficiaries and the effects of any possible changes to the commissary’s business model.
As we’re all aware, commissary benefits are a valued part of our current and retired service member’s compensation package, and contribute to their and their families overall quality of life.
The Military Personnel Subcommittee is taking every opportunity to thoroughly review and discuss the way forward on any commissary reform and is committed to retaining the commissary benefit while improving the business practices of the commissary system and at the same time reducing its dependence on appropriated funds.
Our purpose today is to gain an understanding from the panel on their views of the possible effects to the beneficiaries or to the business practices of our industry partners of any changes to the commissary system business model.
I now ask unanimous consent that the following testimony be entered into the record from the American Federation of Government Employees.
We are joined again today by an outstanding panel. We will give each witness the opportunity to make opening comments, and each member an opportunity to question the witnesses. I respectfully ask the witnesses to summarize, to the greatest extent possible, the high points of your written testimony in no more than 5 minutes – your complete written statements will be entered into the hearing record.
We are joined today by:
Mr. Patrick B. Nixon President American Logistics Association
Mr. Tom Gordy President Armed Forces Marketing Council
Ms. Eileen Huck Government Relations Deputy Director National Military Family Association
Ms. Brooke Goldberg Deputy Director for Government Relations Military Officers Association of America"
