Senate Joint Resolution
No. 29
CHAPTER 138
Relative to the aerospace industry.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 07, 2010.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SJR 29, Wright.
Aerospace industry: C-17 production.
This measure would urge the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Department of Defense to take immediate and necessary actions to protect national security by ensuring continuation of C-17 production to meet future domestic and international airlift needs and to preserve the crown jewel of the American industrial base.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, Effective military and global humanitarian missions require that the United States military be able to maintain and have access to 21st century airlifters that are prepared to respond on a moment’s notice anywhere in the world to any and all needs; and
WHEREAS, Anticipating the need for additional proven and highly capable airlifters, extending C-17 production is in the best interest of the American people; and
WHEREAS, C-5 retirement restrictions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 hinder the Air Force’s latitude to more efficiently manage its strategic airlift fleet; and
WHEREAS, The C-17 fleet is one of the United States military’s most successful acquisition programs with an outstanding record of on-budget and ahead-of-schedule deliveries to the Air Force; and
WHEREAS, The increased activities of United States military presence worldwide has made the C-17 the preeminent airlifter for the efficient deployment of troops and cargo to locations around the globe; and
WHEREAS, The humanitarian aid offered in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attack, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Asian tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake, the Chinese earthquake, the Myanmar cyclone, and the Haiti earthquake has been supported by the C-17’s ability to rapidly deliver critical supplies and equipment to victims of natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, Without a commitment to extend aircraft production, the C-17 supply base will begin to disappear in 2011 and the production line in Long Beach will close in the summer of 2012; and
WHEREAS, The C-17 has provided work for over 650 suppliers in 44 states, resulting in $5.8 billion being added annually to the nation’s economy. For California, a shutdown of the production line would have an impact on 13,857 jobs, 384 suppliers, and a statewide economic impact of $2 billion annually; and
WHEREAS, Despite its record of success and proven reliability for the United States military, the C-17 is caught in the middle of Washington, D.C.’s complex budgetary process with the future of the aircraft, over 30,000 American jobs, and the industrial base it supports in jeopardy; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the California Legislature urges the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Department of Defense to take immediate and necessary actions to protect this national security asset by ensuring continuation of C-17 production to meet future domestic and international airlift needs and to preserve the crown jewel of the American industrial base; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.