HomeMy WebLinkAboutFS 2010-04-06 Item 2A - Resolution - Urging US Department of Defense to Select Boeing Company for Refueling TankerTO: Mayor Haggerton
Finance and Safety Committee
FROM: Steve Lancaster, City Administrator
DATE: April 2, 2010
SUBJECT: Resolution urging the U.S. Department of Defense to select The Boeing
Company to build the next mid -air refueling tanker.
ISSUE
The Boeing Company has requested City support in its bid to be selected to build the next
generation of mid -air refueling tanker airplanes for the U.S. Air Force.
BACKGROUND
The Boeing Company is competing for a major Department of Defense contract to build the next
mid -air refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force. Although this airplane will be built primarily in
Everett if Boeing is awarded the contract, the beneficial economic impacts will be felt throughout
the Puget Sound region and beyond. Boeing estimates this contract would create or retain
40,000 to 50,000 American jobs.
DISCUSSION
Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Cities of Seattle and Bellevue, King County, the
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and seventeen other government and business entities
throughout the Puget Sound region.
RECOMMENDATION
City of Tukwila
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INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Approve the proposed resolution and forward to the April 12, 2010 Committee of the Whole
meeting for consideration and subsequent adoption at the April 19, 2010 City Council meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft resolution
City of Tukwila
Washington
Resolution No.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE TO SELECT THE BOEING COMPANY TO BUILD THE NEXT
MID -AIR REFUELING TANKER.
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Defense has begun the process to
procure the Air Force's next mid -air refueling tanker; and
WHEREAS, a contract could be worth $35 billion; and
WHEREAS, the United States economy is currently struggling through a recession
of historic magnitude; and
WHEREAS, unemployment nationally and in Washington State remains around 10
percent; and
WHEREAS, United States taxpayers and our men and women in uniform deserve
the best tanker at the least cost; and
WHEREAS, the United States Air Force has thoroughly studied its needs and has
clearly articulated those needs in its Tanker Request for Proposal; and
WHEREAS, The Boeing Company's NewGen Tanker meets all of the United States
Air Force's requirements and brings the latest and most advanced technology to our
troops; and
WHEREAS, The Boeing Company has a history of producing successful tankers for
the United States Air Force and air forces of other countries; and
WHEREAS, The Boeing Company can deliver a better aircraft and provide its
services more quickly to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, and marines; and
WHEREAS, The Boeing Company will build its tankers in Everett, Washington, at
a proven plant, with a highly skilled and dedicated regional workforce that has a
tradition of building the best airplanes in the world; and
WHEREAS, Seattle and the Puget Sound region are home to the vast majority of
The Boeing Company's more than 75,000 employees; and
WHEREAS, each Boeing Company job supports nearly three additional jobs in the
region; and
WHEREAS, aerospace workers earn an average of more than $50,000 per year,
which is 60 percent higher than the national average for all private sector industries;
and
WHEREAS, approximately $5.4 billion is paid in annual wages to aerospace
workers, which is five percent of all wages paid in the State of Washington; and
WHEREAS, the Tukwila City Council values these jobs and the people who hold
them and will make it a priority to ensure Washington State and the Puget Sound
region remain the best places to design, build and market commercial airplanes; and
WHEREAS, The Boeing Company and their employees donate millions of dollars
and volunteer countless hours to community service organizations benefitting our
entire region; and
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WHEREAS, our national security interests are not served by sending this valuable
and strategic program overseas; and
WHEREAS, awarding the contract to The Boeing Company can create or retain
40,000 to 50,000 American jobs at a time in history when we desperately need them;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The United States Department of Defense should select The Boeing
Company to build the next mid -air refueling tanker.
Section 2. The United States Department of Defense should not split the contract
between two competitors.
Section 3. Upon passage of this resolution, the Tukwila City Council hereby directs
the City Clerk to immediately forward copies of this resolution to:
x The Boeing Company Corporate Office in Chicago, Illinois
x Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle, Washington
x The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)
x The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA)
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 2010.
ATTEST/ AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
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Dennis Robertson, Council President
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
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