U.S. Department of State

The Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) is hosting an exclusive briefing to showcase the facilities, deployments, and capabilities of the Civilian Response Corps to members of the media on March 26th, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. This briefing, held in S/CRS’s Springfield “Control Center” will provide the media a guided tour of the facilities and a presentation of the Corps’s expertise, tools, and capabilities. The event offers:

• An overview of the role of the Coordinator and the interagency Civilian Response Corps;
  
• Information on S/CRS’ peace building deployments and activities around the world;
  
• A demonstration of the equipment that allows deployed Corps members to conduct their missions in austere and remote environments, including armored SUVs, sophisticated communications tools, and personal equipment;
  
• Digital Video Conferences (DVCs) with Corps members currently in the field in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan (DVCs are subject to field conditions);
  
• Interaction with Civilian Response Corps members.

Location of departure and return for tour transportation: Department of State, 23^rd Street Entrance.

Pre-set time for departure: 9:00 a.m.

Return time: Approximately 1:00 p.m.

Transportation to the tour from the Department of State will be provided for accredited media representatives presenting one of the following: (1) A U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver's license, passport).

To enter the facility and participate in the tour all guest must be pre-cleared. Please supply your name, place of birth, date of birth, Social Security Number and Current Employer by Monday, March 22.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Department of State
Office of Press Relations
(202) 647-2492

Todd Calongne
Office of the Coordinator for Reconnection & Stabilization
(202) 663-0849

###