Boeing Honored by Defense Department for Supporting Job Opportunity Program

CHICAGO, Oct 29, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) earlier this month received the first U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Award for Exceptional Industry Contribution for support to the AbilityOne program, a federal initiative that works with private and public organizations to generate employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities.

For years Boeing has maintained long-term relationships with more than a dozen AbilityOne agencies. That includes working with the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind on manufacturing blankets used in the KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and, for 50 years, the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, which makes a variety of parts for commercial airplane products.

"Boeing's partnership with AbilityOne nonprofit agencies creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities while providing Boeing with high-quality goods and services," said Joan Robinson-Berry, Boeing's small business liaison and the director of Strategic Work Placement for the company's Integrated Defense Systems unit. "We are proud to work with AbilityOne and committed to increasing our business with the program." More than 40,000 people work under the AbilityOne program, including 2,000 wounded military veterans.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the United States.

Contact: Amy Horton, Communications Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Office: 314-233-4368 Mobile: [phone] [e-mail] SOURCE Boeing www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0- KEYWORD: Illinois INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ARO

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