September 21, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 163 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING NATIONAL AEROSPACE WEEK

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 21, 2020

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I along with Representative 
Thornberry, rise to recognize the United States aerospace industry. For 
more than 100 years, 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 industry has made 
a tremendous impact, strengthening both America's economy and national 
security. The aerospace and defense industry's economic presence is 
felt in all 50 states, representing 1.8 percent of total U.S. Gross 
Domestic Product in 2019. And it's one of our country's best employers, 
supporting more than 2 million world-class workers in 2019 and 
providing them wages and benefits that are more than 40 percent higher 
than the national average. It also supports the U.S. National Defense 
Strategy by providing our military with the most advanced and effective 
platforms and systems in the world.
  In keeping with industry's strong commitment to our country and its 
citizens, our nation's aerospace companies have answered the call to 
help assist with the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Aerospace companies have used their unique skills and expertise to 
produce face shields, design and build portable ventilators, and 
deliver essential supplies to the front lines in effort to ensure our 
nation overcomes these unprecedented challenges.
  While the history of the aerospace industry is filled with 
contributions to the technological advancement of humankind, from the 
development of flight to putting the first person on the moon, the 
future is just as bright. The industry is inspiring young Americans 
from diverse backgrounds to study and pursue science, technology, 
engineering, and math, so they can help drive future innovations. 
Through groundbreaking technologies like urban air mobility and 
planning the next great space mission to Mars, the aerospace industry 
is working today to build a better, safer, and more successful 
tomorrow.

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