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A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, urging the President of the United States and the Congress of the United States to reject the recent Pentagon decision to award a $40 Billion defense contract to a foreign entity for the construction of the United States Air Force mid-air refueling tankers and urging the Congress to investigate this decision.
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WHEREAS, Pentagon officials recently awarded a $40 Billion defense contract to the Northrop Grumman Corporation, in partnership with the foreign-based European Aeronautic Defense and Space company, to build 179 mid-air refueling tankers for the United States Air Force; and
WHEREAS, in making this decision, pentagon officials overlooked the Boeing Company, which is based in Chicago, Illinois, and which currently employs more than 160,000 people across the United States and in numerous other countries, with major operations in Washington, California, and Missouri; and
WHEREAS, tens of thousands of American union and non-union jobs are at stake; and
WHEREAS, the Boeing Corporation uses 695 Suppliers/Vendors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, annual Boeing purchases from suppliers and vendors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania exceed $280 million, and
WHEREAS, there are in excess of 9,000 active and retired Boeing employees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, this decision, if allowed to stand, would have a significant impact on jobs in this nation, the economy and United States Military operations, and
WHEREAS, there are serious national security implications in awarding this defense contract to a foreign contractor that deserve closer examination;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
Section 1.
In the interests of protecting American jobs, a strong economy and national security, the Council of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, hereby urges President George W. Bush and Congress to reject the above-described decision of the Pentagon. Council further urges the members of Congress to hold public hearings to investigate and examine issues surrounding the awarding of this national security defense contract to a foreign entity.
Section 2. Severability. If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution which shall be in full force and effect.
Section 3. Repealer. Any resolution or ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Resolution is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.