Mike Thompson: “I'd like to bring to the attention of the Senate an important information technology program. The Defense Personnel…”

“I'd like to bring to the attention of the Senate an important information technology program. The Defense Personnel Records Imaging System (DPRIS) is the follow-on records management system needed to process, store, and distribute military personnel information. Currently, DPRIS is not ready to move from the Concept Advanced Demonstration phase to the System Integration phase. In order for the program to complete developmental activities to mature the system to the point that it is ready for Low-Rate Initial Production, $2 million is required for further demonstration/validation work. Mr. President, the recent call up of thousands of National Guardsmen and Reservists to respond to the war on terrorism has further taxed an already overburdened personnel records management system. We need to get DPRIS completely through R&D, so we can make a smooth transition from the old system to the new. I know the chairman and ranking member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee understand the importance of this program, and would hope that they would give this DPRIS funding every consideration during conference with the House.”