June 27, 2012
Four Out of Every Five Governors Have Issued Proclamations Recognizing the Economic Impact of Aviation
Washington, DC – Today, the Alliance for Aviation Across announced that 4 out of every 5 US governors, 40 in total, have signed proclamations recognizing the value of aviation – the majority of whom, 37 in total, have specifically recognized the value of general aviation to their state and the national economy. The Governors have specifically cited the jobs and economic impact of aviation, as well as how general aviation and local airports serve as a lifeline to many rural communities, supporting health care, disaster relief, law enforcement and a host of other important services and resources. Most recently, Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington and Governor Brian Sandoval of Nevada have recognized this important industry by designating June as “General Aviation Appreciation Month” and “Aviation Appreciation Month” respectively.
“This is a significant milestone in our efforts to educate the public and raise awareness about general aviation,” stated Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “It demonstrates that there is a growing understanding around the country by Governors and other local officials that general aviation and local airports are a crucial economic engine and lifeline to rural communities around our nation.”
In addition to these proclamations, Governors John Lynch of New Hampshire, Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, C. L. “Butch” Otter of Idaho and Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota have all sent letters to President Obama outlining the important role of general aviation. In addition, earlier this year, more than 100 mayors sent a letter to President Obama highlighting the critical importance of general aviation and local airports to their local communities.
Below are the states that have passed proclamations:
Georgia – Governor Sonny Perdue, “Aviation Appreciation Month” October, 2010
West Virginia – Governor Joe Manchin, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” January, 2010
Alaska – Governer Sean Parnell “General Aviation Month” January 2010
Vermont – Governor Jim Douglas, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” February, 2010
North Dakota – Lt. Governor Jack Dalrymple, “North Dakota Aviation Week” March, 2010
Arkansas – Governor Mike Beebe, “Aviation and Aerospace Appreciation Month” March, 2010
Tennessee – Governor Phil Bredesen, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” April, 2010
Washington – Governor Christine Gregoire, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” May, 2010
Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland, “Aviation Industry Appreciation Day” July, 2010
Kentucky – Governor Steven Besher, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” July, 2010
Wisconsin – Governor Jim Doyle, “Wisconsin Aviation Week” July, 2010
New Mexico – Governor Bill Richardson, “Aviation and Aerospace Appreciation Month” September, 2010
New Jersey – Governor Chris Cristie, “Aviation Appreciation Day” September, 2010
Maryland – Governor Martin O’Malley “General Aviation and Community Airport Month” September, 2010
Minnesota – Governor Tim Pawlenty, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” October, 2010
Texas – Governor Rick Perry, “Aviation Appreciation Month” November, 2010
North Carolina – Governor Beverly Perdue, “Aviation Appreciation Week” March, 2011
New Hampshire – Governor John Lynch, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” March, 2011
Missouri – Governor Jay Nixon, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” March 2011
Kansas – Governor Sam Brownback, “Aviation Appreciation Month” May, 2011
Mississippi – House of Representatives, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” May, 2011
Colorado – Governor John Hikenlooper, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” June, 2011
Illinois – Governor Pat Quinn, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” June, 2011
South Carolina – Governor Nikki Haley, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” June , 2011
Florida – Governor Rick Scott, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” June, 2011
South Dakota – Governor Dennis Daugaard, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” June, 2011
Wyoming – Governor Matthew Mead, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” June, 2011
Delaware – Governor Jack Markell, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” July, 2011
Montana – Governor Brian Scweitzer, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” August, 2011
Virginia – Governor Bob McDonnell, “Virginia Aviation Month” August, 2011
Idaho – Governor C.L “Butch” Otter, “Aviation Appreciation Month” September, 2011
Pennsylvania – Governor Tom Corbett, “General Aviation and Aerospace Appreciation Month” September, 2011
Massachusetts – Governor Deval Patrick, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” November, 2011
Louisiana – Governor Bobby Jindal “General Aviation Appreciation Month” December, 2011
Iowa – Governor Terry Branstad, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” December, 2011
Indiana – Governor Mitch Daniels, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” March, 2012
Maine – Governor Paul LePage, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” April, 2012
Nebraska – Governor Dave Heineman, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” May 2012
New York – Governor Andrew Cuomo, “Aviation Appreciation Month” May, 2012
Nevada – Governor Brian Sandoval, “Aviation Appreciation Month” June, 2012
Washington – Governor Christine Gregoire, “General Aviation Appreciation Month” June, 2012
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of over 5,900 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.