[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING NATIONAL AEROSPACE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON ESTES

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2024

  Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Aerospace 
Week.
  For more than a century, American aerospace trailblazers have 
propelled the United States to the forefront of global innovation in 
critical sectors--national defense, safe and reliable transportation, 
sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and space exploration. National 
Aerospace Week recognizes the vital role that aerospace organizations 
and workers play in advancing our nation's security, economy, and 
technological leadership.
  The aerospace industry continues to surge to new heights. In 2023 
alone, American aerospace and defense generated an astounding $955 
billion in total sales across the value chain--from small mom-and-pop 
businesses to the largest equipment manufacturers. These businesses 
support more than 2.2 million highly skilled workers across the 
country, with nearly half of these jobs coming from the supply chain 
sector. And Americans want to work in aerospace and defense. Not just 
because the average income is 50 percent above the national average, 
but because they identify and connect with the industry's mission and 
its contributions to the United States. With a footprint in every 
single state, including in my state of Kansas--home to the Air Capital 
of the World--the aerospace and defense workforce is the backbone of 
our economy, contributing $425 billion to the U.S. GDP last year.
  The importance of aerospace and defense cannot be overstated. As a 
close partner with the U.S. military, the industry is a cornerstone of 
our national security and a critical component of our asymmetric 
advantage over our adversaries. It is a key tenet of our national 
defense strategy, equipping our courageous men and women in uniform 
with the most advanced and effective systems in the world to deter and, 
if necessary, fight and win wars. Because of the ingenuity and 
resilience of American innovators, our military is the best in the 
world.
  We are also the global leader in new technologies in aerospace and 
air transport--technoiogies that are highly sought-after across the 
globe. This includes the fastest, safest, most efficient jets; new 
technologies like advanced air mobility that will enable Americans to 
get to wherever they want to go--including, eventually, space; and 
sustainable innovations that will help us be good stewards of our 
natural resources for generations to come.
  The diverse and innovative nature of the businesses that make up the 
A&D supply chain keeps America on the cutting edge of an ever-evolving 
global market. Simply put, the world wants what American aerospace is 
innovating--we are the gold standard.
  As we celebrate National Aerospace Week, let us look to the future, 
where this industry continues to inspire and drive change that will 
shape the world for generations to come.

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