Today Reps. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) and Salud Carbajal (D-California), co-chairs of the House Aerospace Caucus, recognized National Aerospace Week in the House of Representatives.
 
"The United States has long been a global pioneer in aviation, defense and space, and the aerospace industry and workforce have made innumerable contributions to our country and the world," said Rep. Estes in remarks submitted to the Congressional Record. "Across the country, aerospace – and the people who power it – provides a critical foundation that supports our nation’s economy and national security."
 
"The American aerospace industry has moved, connected, secured, and inspired the modern world with countless technologies that play a role in our daily lives," said Rep. Carbajal in remarks submitted to the Congressional Record. " From air traffic controllers, airline gate agents, and pilots to engineers, technicians, and everyone else in between – this diverse workforce allows the United States to maintain leadership."
 
Reps. Estes and Carbajal are co-chairs of the House Aerospace Caucus, which is an honorary co-host for several events this week to recognize National Aerospace Week and celebrate the American aviation, space and defense industries. You can learn more about the Caucus and its work here.
 
Full Congressional Record Remarks from Rep. Estes:
The United States has long been a global pioneer in aviation, defense and space, and the aerospace industry and workforce have made innumerable contributions to our country and the world.
 
I proudly represent Wichita, Kansas – the Air Capital of the World. For more than a century, Wichita has been a leader in aerospace innovation and manufacturing. In 1928, just 25 years after the Wright Brothers’ first flight, Wichita was already home to 16 airplane manufacturers, six engine factories and numerous suppliers.
 
Today, Wichita is home to world-class research, engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance capabilities.
 
But aerospace is not just in Kansas – the industry supports jobs in all 50 states. Across the country, aerospace – and the people who power it – provides a critical foundation that supports our nation’s economy and national security. 
 
That’s why I relaunched the House Aerospace Caucus this year. With my co-chair Rep. Salud Carbajal, we’re committed to maintaining America’s global leadership in aerospace by supporting the industry and working to address the legislative issues impacting it.
 
This National Aerospace Week, I want to recognize and celebrate the American aviation, defense and space industries and thank the hardworking men and women powering this industry.
 
Full Congressional Record Remarks from Rep. Carbajal:
Mister Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Aerospace Week. I am proud to Co-Chair the House Aerospace Caucus and to represent the robust aerospace industry on California’s Central Coast, which ranges from civilian and military to airplanes and space launches.
 
The American aerospace industry has moved, connected, secured, and inspired the modern world with countless technologies that play a role in our daily lives. The aerospace industry has grown tremendously over the last 120 years going from the Wright brothers’ first flight to deep space exploration.
 
Whether you are traveling by plane or using GPS to navigate – we all rely on the aerospace industry daily. Achievements in aerospace are some of humankind’s most notable, including the moon landing and the first transatlantic flight. Success stories like these inspire the next generation who will continue to innovate and propel the American aerospace industry forward.
 
The United States has been a leader in aerospace since the beginning of the industry and this is only possible because of the American people's public investment and willingness to participate in this critical workforce. From air traffic controllers, airline gate agents, and pilots to engineers, technicians, and everyone else in between – this diverse workforce allows the United States to maintain leadership.