[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF NATIONAL AEROSPACE WEEK
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
California (Mr. Carbajal) for 5 minutes.
Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, in honor of National Aerospace Week, I
rise to recognize the vital role the aerospace industry plays in our
Nation's economy, security, and technological leadership.
The United States is on the cutting edge of aerospace technology
because of the people who dared to do the unimaginable, just like the
Wright brothers over 120 years ago.
Because we dreamed big, we have flown faster than the speed of sound
and put mankind on the Moon. We have made flying and space launch a
normal occurrence. What used to be science fiction is now a fact of
life.
Aviation has become an integral part of our society and our economy.
Every day in the United States alone, nearly 3 million people fly on
45,000 flights. The industry continues to grow each year.
In 2023, the aerospace industry contributed $425 billion to the U.S.
GDP and supported over 2.2 million jobs. It is also a key tenet of our
National Defense Strategy, equipping servicemembers with the most
advanced and effective systems in the world.
As co-chair of the House Aerospace Caucus, I am proud to recognize
our Nation's incredible aerospace industry and its workforce, our
pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, engineers, and others who will
help us continue to soar to new heights.
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