SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 25

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

5107L.01I

      Whereas, the current Federal Defense Budget does not include an allocation for the United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III military transport plane program at Boeing St. Louis; and

            Whereas, in 2002, Boeing dedicated a new St. Louis C-17 manufacturing facility which allowed Boeing to consolidate its major St. Louis C-17 assembly work into one facility; and

            Whereas, today, twenty percent of all C-17 planes are manufactured at Boeing St. Louis; and

            Whereas, the Boeing St. Louis team, the largest supplier for the C-17, produces the airlifter's cargo ramp and door, cockpit, including the flight deck, main landing gear pods and pylons. In addition, 10,000 detail parts for the C-17 are fabricated at Boeing's strategic partner, GKN Aerospace Services - St. Louis, to deliver to Long Beach, California, and Macon, Georgia; and

            Whereas, the new facility at Boeing St. Louis was part of a $140 million multistage plan designed to transform the Boeing St. Louis site into one of the most competitive operations in the aerospace industry; and

            Whereas, if federal funding for this program is not included in the Federal Defense Budget, 950 jobs at Boeing St. Louis and 565 jobs at GKN Aerospace Services - St. Louis would be lost; and

            Whereas, Boeing St. Louis is second only to Long Beach, California in the manufacturer of the C-17 Globemaster III military transport plane and has 57 suppliers across the State of Missouri; and

            Whereas, the loss of almost 1500 skilled aerospace jobs, occurring at the same time that the Hazelwood Ford Plant is scheduled for closure, would have a significant negative impact on the economy of St. Louis and the State of Missouri, as well as the employment and financial stability of almost 1500 employees in this state:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby urge the United States Congress to include in the Federal Defense Budget an allocation for the United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III military transport plane program at Boeing St. Louis; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.