Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HR408 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	25 LC 112 3128
2	2	House Resolution 408
3	3	By: Representatives Stephens of the 164
4	4	th
5	5	, Petrea of the 166
6	6	th
7	7	, Sainz of the 180
8	8	th
9	9	, Hatchett of
10	10	the 155
11	11	th
12	12	, Hitchens of the 161
13	13	st
14	14	, and others
15	15	A RESOLUTION
16	16	Honoring the work of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognizing February
17	17	1
18	18	26, 2025, as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.2
19	19	WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is home to a robust aerospace industry, encompassing more3
20	20	than 800 companies, including an estimated 320 aerospace manufacturing firms, more than4
21	21	120 MRO facilities, and over 70 airline and charter operations that employ more than5
22	22	200,000 Georgians; and6
23	23	WHEREAS, aerospace products are Georgia's top export product category and the state's7
24	24	second-largest manufacturing industry, generating an estimated annual economic impact of8
25	25	$57.5 billion; and9
26	26	WHEREAS, aerospace has remained the State of Georgia's No. 1 international export since10
27	27	2004, with 2023 aerospace and defense exports totaling $11.1 billion, including civilian11
28	28	aircraft and parts, turbojets, turbopropellers, aircraft launching gear, parachutes, and12
29	29	non-powered aircraft; and13
30	30	WHEREAS, in 2023, Georgia's top five international markets for aerospace industry exports14
31	31	were Singapore, Germany, Poland, India, and Hong Kong; and15
32	32	H. R. 408
33	33	- 1 - 25 LC 112 3128
34	34	WHEREAS, Georgia's higher education institutions are dedicated to delivering top-tier talent
35	35	16
36	36	through the aerospace career pipeline; and17
37	37	WHEREAS, the Georgia Institute of Technology is home to the No. 1 aerospace engineering18
38	38	program in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report; and19
39	39	WHEREAS, Middle Georgia University is home to Georgia's flagship School of Aviation20
40	40	and is the only university in Georgia offering three FAA-certified programs; the only public21
41	41	university to offer a bachelor's degree in flight, supporting the aviation industry through22
42	42	programs in business administration, information technology, cybersecurity, and specialized23
43	43	aviation disciplines; was selected as one of only eight aviation universities in the nation as24
44	44	the initial cadre for Delta Air Lines' Propel Collegiate Pilot Career Path; offers maintenance25
45	45	training ranging from certificates to bachelor's degrees; and is one of 31 schools in the nation26
46	46	to offer the FAA-certified Air Traffic Control program; and27
47	47	WHEREAS, Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer28
48	48	University, has been an integral part of the Robins Air Force Base community since 1987;29
49	49	and30
50	50	WHEREAS, Georgia Southern University's Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and31
51	51	Computing is advancing aerospace innovation through cutting-edge research in sustainable32
52	52	fuels, aircraft power systems, and advanced manufacturing while equipping students with the33
53	53	skills and expertise needed to support Georgia's aerospace industry; and34
54	54	WHEREAS, the flagship and land-grant institution of the State of Georgia, the University35
55	55	of Georgia's College of Engineering, is dedicated to supporting the state's thriving and36
56	56	H. R. 408
57	57	- 2 - 25 LC 112 3128
58	58	expanding aerospace industry through education, workforce development, and collaborative
59	59	37
60	60	and innovative research and by providing support to those investing in our great state; and38
61	61	WHEREAS, Lockheed Martin has operated continuously in Marietta, Georgia, for 74 years39
62	62	and builds two iconic military programs, the C-130J Super Hercules and the F-35 Lightning40
63	63	II, in the State of Georgia, supporting direct and indirect jobs for more than 12,00041
64	64	Georgians; and42
65	65	WHEREAS, as the largest manufacturer in the state, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has43
66	66	operated continuously at its worldwide headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, since 1967,44
67	67	designing, manufacturing, and supporting the world's most technologically advanced45
68	68	business aircraft; employing more than 13,000 in Georgia; and supporting a Georgia payroll46
69	69	of over $1.4 billion; and47
70	70	WHEREAS, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world's busiest and48
71	71	most efficient passenger airport, and Georgia is home to the largest single container terminal49
72	72	and most extensive rail and interstate system in the Southeast, providing a seamless air, sea,50
73	73	and ground transportation network; and51
74	74	WHEREAS, Georgia is proud of its longstanding connection to the United States military52
75	75	community, including eight active military bases, the United States Army Cyber Command53
76	76	Headquarters, and the VECTR military workforce training center; and54
77	77	WHEREAS, seven of the world's top ten defense contractors maintain a presence within the55
78	78	State of Georgia, serving as top employers for newly retired veterans; and56
79	79	H. R. 408
80	80	- 3 - 25 LC 112 3128
81	81	WHEREAS, Georgia's aerospace and defense industry continues to grow thanks to the state's
82	82	57
83	83	positive business climate and bipartisan support at the local, state, and federal levels of58
84	84	government.59
85	85	NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that60
86	86	the members of this body honor Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognize61
87	87	February 26, 2025, as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol.62
88	88	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized63
89	89	and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to64
90	90	representatives of the aerospace and defense industry, higher education officials, and other65
91	91	representatives as deemed necessary.66
92	92	H. R. 408
93	93	- 4 -