Wed, Sep 30, 2009
Bipartisan Group Forms To Champion GA In The Senate
The NBAA and GAMA Tuesday
applauded Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK) and Mike Johanns (R-NE) for
forming a General Aviation Caucus and encouraging colleagues to
join. NBAA also commends Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS), Sam Bowback
(R-KS) and James Inhofe (R-OK) for becoming caucus members.
"NBAA is delighted at the formation of this caucus, in recognition
of the value provided by all of general aviation, including
business aviation," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We look
forward to working with everyone involved with the caucus to
promote policies that help all general aviation continue to provide
value in every state across the country."
In a "Dear Colleague" letter sent
yesterday by Sens. Begich and Johanns to their fellow lawmakers,
the two note that "the goal of the Senate General Aviation Caucus
is to work with pilots, aircraft owners, the aviation industry, and
relevant government agencies to insure a safe and vibrant
environment exists for GA in our country."
The letter goes on to point out the value of general aviation in
generating jobs, providing transportation to small towns and
communities that are often without airline service, and performing
an essential role in the nation's economy. These points are all
central themes of No Plane No Gain, an industry advocacy campaign,
jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers
Association, which focuses on educating policymakers and opinion
leaders about the value of business aviation to citizens, companies
and communities across the U.S.
GAMA also supported the move. "I
applaud Senator Begich (D-AK) and Senator Johanns (R-NE) for
launching the Senate GA Caucus," said GAMA President and CEO, Pete
Bunce. "As an industry that contributes more than $150
billion to the U.S. economy annually and supports more than 1.2
million American jobs, general aviation is a significant part of
our transportation system and this caucus will provide an excellent
forum to bring members and staff together to discuss the major
issues facing our community. We truly appreciate the
leadership efforts of Senator Begich and Senator Johanns to bring
general aviation issues to the attention of the Senate and we look
forward to supporting their work."
On his senate website, Inhofe, a pilot with over 10,000 hours in
his logbook, said “As a pilot and longtime friend of the
general aviation community, I am extremely pleased by the formation
of the Senate General Aviation Caucus. Many significant issues
affecting the GA community will be debated this Congress, and the
formation of this caucus should assure the aviation community that
they have advocates in the United States Senate. I’d like to
thank Senators Begich and Johanns for their leadership, and look
forward to working closely with them on issues that are important
to general aviation.”
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