AIA Executive Report - Aerospace Industries Association

ulwark of our industry and of our
nation. This workforce sets new
benchmarks every day in the most
demanding technical fields. This
is an opportunity to say “job well
done” to the thousands of men and
women in our industry.
Finally, the week-long
commemoration is a chance to
highlight our industry as providing
some of the best jobs around. Recent
surveys showed that engineers are
in high demand, and aerospace
engineers are exceedingly wellpaid.
It’s imperative that our nation
devotes ample resources to quality
education in science, technology,
engineering and math to develop
the next generation of young
scientists, engineers and technicians.
National Aerospace Week
incorporates a significant outreach
campaign to companies, communities,
schools and stakeholders throughout
the country. AIA is providing
participation “tool kits” that encourage
local celebrations, school events,
company open houses, letter-writing
campaigns to elected officials and
other events to raise awareness of the
issues that matter to our industry.
Phoenix, Memphis, Wichita, Boulder
and Cincinnati are just a few of the
cities where events are planned.
A growing number of member
companies are rolling out events in
their facilities across the nation to
say, “job well done.” In addition,
the U.S. Department of Commerce,
the Air Force Association, the
National Air and Space Museum
and the National Association of
State Aviation Officials are working
with us to create activities that focus
attention on the enormous impact
that our industry has on safety,
security and our economic well-being.
A competition challenging young
people to design a future aerospace
vehicle and a photography contest
also reach their culmination this week.
We are pleased to announce
that Rep. Norm Dicks, chairman
of the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Defense, will
receive this year’s “Wings of
Liberty” award. Congressman Dicks
has been a staunch advocate for
aerospace since his first election in
1976. He is currently the secondranking
member of the House
Appropriations Committee and serves
his Washington State constituents
on both the Defense and Interior
and Environment Subcommittees.
His depth of knowledge of highly
classified defense programs led to his
appointment to the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence in
1990 and, ultimately, to the award of
the CIA Director’s Medal in late 1998.
He is also a member of the Council
on Foreign Relations. He is a vital
member of the aerospace and defense
community and we are delighted to
honor his contributions.
In addition to the “Wings of Liberty”
presentation, we will reprise our very
successful “March to the Hill” by
AIA supplier company executives
from the Supplier Management
Council. AIA will also be running
ads in prominent Washington
publications and we have published
a new brochure for distribution.
I can’t stress enough that National
Aerospace Week is your event and
it’s success depends on the participation
of companies, communities and
institutions. AIA is proud to lead the
effort, but we need your support,
your interest and your commitment.
I invite all of you to make National
Aerospace Week worthy of the
congressional proclamations that
create it.
Let’s all celebrate together!
Visit www.nationalaerospaceweek.org
Marion C. Blakey
President & Chief Executive Officer
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