Resolution 1225RESOLUTION NO. 1225
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, URGING THE U.S.
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, Boeing, possibly Airbus, and United Aircraft Corporation are
anticipated to be the competitors to build that tanker; and
WHEREAS, that contract could be worth $35 billion; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. economy is currently struggling through a recession of
historic magnitude; and
and
WHEREAS, unemployment nationally and in Washington remains around 10%;
WHEREAS, U.S. taxpayers deserve the best tanker at the least cost; and
WHEREAS, The Boeing Company has a history of producing successful tankers
for the U.S. Air Force and other countries' air forces; and
WHEREAS, Boeing can deliver a better aircraft more quickly to our soldiers,
sailors and airmen; and
WHEREAS, Boeing 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, the Seattle metropolitan statistical area has the highest concentration
of aerospace jobs in the world; and
WHEREAS, Seattle and the Puget Sound region is home to the vast majority of
Boeing's more than 75,000 workers; and
WHEREAS, each job at Boeing supports nearly three additional jobs; and
WHEREAS, Aerospace workers earn an average of more than $50,000 a year-
60 percent higher than the average for all private sector industries; and
WHEREAS, most aerospace companies are relatively small businesses —many
with five to 50 employees; and
WHEREAS, approximately $5.4 billion is paid in annual wages to aerospace
workers —five percent of all wages paid in the state; and
WHEREAS, the Edmonds City Council values these jobs and the people who
hold them, and will make it a priority to ensure Washington and the Puget Sound region remain
the best place to design, build, and market commercial airplanes; and
WHEREAS, our national security interests are not served by sending this valuable
and strategic program overseas; and
WHEREAS, Airbus and United Aircraft Corporation have a majority of their
workers in Europe, and by their own admission would only do the finishing work for a tanker in
the U.S.—that's as little as 5 percent; and
WHEREAS, awarding the contract to Boeing can create or retain 40,000 to
50,000 American jobs at a time in history when we desperately need them; and
WHEREAS, U.S. taxpayers are not served by buying tankers from both Boeing
and other aircraft manufacturers in this competition;
-2-
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The U.S. Department of Defense should select Boeing to build the next mid -air
refueling tanker; and
The U.S. Department of Defense should not split the contract between other
competitors; and
Copies of this Resolution will immediately be transmitted by the City Clerk to
Boeing Corporate Offices in Chicago, Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle, the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Society of
Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace.
RESOLVED this 23rd day of March, 2010.
APPROV D:
MAYOR, R HAAKENSON
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
'e� 'd. &'e�
ITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 03-22-2010
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 03-23-2010
RESOLUTION NO. 1225
-3-