Governors across the country announced a coalition on Monday that advocated awarding the U.S. Air Force refueling tanker contract to the Boeing Company.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson made the announcement, creating the U.S. Tanker 2010 Coalition, in Washington, D.C.
“It’s important that we keep Americans at work. Awarding Boeing the contract to supply our next fleet of tankers will ensure work for 40,000 to 50,000 people across the country,” Gregoire said. “There’s been enough delay already on the military’s efforts to build a next generation tanker, and Boeing is ready to start building them today.”
The coalition is a bi-partisan effort of elected officials, business and labor organizations committed to ensure “the bid selected is the one that can produce the best product for the Air Force, will create the most American jobs and wisely spends taxpayer dollars.”
“Our military men and women deserve the best possible equipment; and where refueling tankers are concerned, the Boeing tanker is hands-down the best choice. It is the most agile, the most efficient and because it would be made right here in America, it is the safest choice,” Parkinson said. “With a Boeing tanker, we will be making a major investment in our national security and creating thousands of American jobs when they are needed most. I urge the military to move quickly and provide our troops with the equipment they deserve and the Boeing tankers they need.”
Joining Gregoire and Parkinson in the coalition are Governors John Baldacci of Maine, Chet Culver of Iowa, Gary Herbert of Utah, Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, Jay Nixon of Missouri, Pat Quinn of Illinois and Jodi Rell from Connecticut.
Currently, Boeing employs 155,000 workers in all 50 states. The governors said that awarding the contract to Boeing would help build U.S. industrial capacity and retain U.S. jobs.
“With a lagging economy, we can’t afford to send thousands of jobs and billions of dollars overseas,” Nixon said. “We need these jobs right here at home. Boeing is one of Missouri’s largest employers and the best company to build these refueling tankers.”
The U.S. Tanker 2010 Coalition is also making the case that Boeing is the single best choice to protect our nation and protect national interests.
The Pentagon is expected to release the final tanker Request For Proposals (RFP) as early as today.
“The US military needs tanker planes that are ready to go, and we here in Maine have the workers and skills to make it happen,” said Baldacci. “It just makes the most sense for us economically and militarily to award Boeing the tanker contract.”
On the Web:
http://www.ustanker2010.com
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
PITTSBURG —
