Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter urged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to renew the State Department's contract with AT&T in order to prevent the closing of the National Passport Information Center in Dover.  The call center, which is scheduled to close in February, currently employs more than 300 people. In a letter to Secretary Rice, Shea-Porter noted the call center's importance to the local economy and the excellent service it has provided the State Department for more than 10 years.

"I am going to fight hard to keep these jobs in our state," said Congresswoman Shea-Porter.  "The workers have been loyal and productive and there is no reason to take these jobs away from them." 

Shea-Porter has been in close contact with Governor John Lynch about the planned closure.

A full copy of the letter is below:

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
2201 C Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Madam Secretary:

It has recently come to my attention that the State Department has decided against renewing the contract with AT&T Government Solutions in Dover, NH for the National Passport Information Center.  I would ask that you reconsider this decision in light of the effect it will have on our local economy during these tough economic times.

The facility in Dover has provided the State Department with excellent service for twelve years.  More than 300 employees in Dover are already trained, have the necessary security clearances, and deliver quality work for the State Department.  Under the current decision, these workers will lose their jobs, the government would lose their experience and hard work, and our local economy will suffer.

Again, I respectfully ask that the State Department reconsider the decision and keep the facility in Dover. 

Thank you for your attention to this most important issue.

Sincerely,

Carol Shea-Porter
Member of Congress