Host Of Governors, House, Senate Leaders Understand Industry's
Value
The NBAA on Friday pointed to three key metrics – one
half, one quarter and one third – which the organization says
demonstrate that national and state policymakers understand and
want to highlight the value of business aviation.
Specifically, noted NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, as of this
month, one half of the states in the U.S. had issued proclamations
recognizing the value of all general aviation, including business
aviation; one quarter of lawmakers in the U.S. House of
Representatives belong to that chamber’s GA Caucus; and one
third of all U.S. Senators belong to the Senate GA Caucus.
"One half, one quarter and one third – these numbers are
solid proof that lawmakers all over the country understand and
appreciate what business aviation means for them and their
constituents," Bolen said.
Referring to support expressed for the industry in states from
coast to coast, Bolen noted that a recent proclamation issued by
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D), designating June 2011 as General
Aviation (GA) Appreciation Month, made Illinois the 25th state to
recognize the value of business flying. In the time since the
Illinois proclamation was issued, four more states have issued
similar decrees, bringing the total to 29.
In addition to the Illinois proclamation, similar decrees have
been issued in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia,
Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and
Wyoming.
Significantly, the state declarations have echoed the central
themes from the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign – jointly
sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers
Association – in pointing out that business aviation helps
support more than a million jobs, provides a lifeline to
communities across the U.S., promotes business productivity and
efficiency and helps people and communities in times of crisis.
Equally important to the support for business aviation shown in
state capitals, Bolen said, is the Congressional support for the
industry expressed through large and growing memberships in
Congressional GA Caucuses. In the time since the caucuses were
formed to raise awareness of the value of general aviation to
citizens, companies and communities, the House Caucus has grown to
include 114 members, and ranks of the Senate Caucus have swelled to
35 members.
"The business aviation community has reason to be proud of the
support the industry has deservedly received from all levels of
government," Bolen said. "Business aviation plays an absolutely
essential role in our nation's economy, which is why the importance
of the industry transcends political, regional and other
differences. I'm confident these numbers will continue to
grow."
See a sampling of state proclamations issued to date, view a
list of House and Senate GA Caucus Members, or visit the No Plane
No Gain advocacy campaign web site.