South Carolina General Assembly
122nd Session, 2017-2018
H. 3612
STATUS INFORMATION
House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Erickson, Herbkersman, W.Newton, Bradley, Bales, Anthony, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Arrington, Atkinson, Atwater, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bedingfield, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bowers, Brown, Burns, Caskey, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, Clyburn, CobbHunter, Cogswell, Cole, Collins, Crawford, Crosby, Daning, Davis, Delleney, Dillard, Douglas, Duckworth, Elliott, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Fry, Funderburk, Gagnon, Gilliard, Govan, Hamilton, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson, Henegan, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Johnson, Jordan, King, Kirby, Knight, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, McCoy, McCravy, McEachern, McKnight, Mitchell, D.C.Moss, V.S.Moss, Murphy, Neal, B.Newton, Norman, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pitts, Pope, Putnam, Quinn, Ridgeway, M.Rivers, S.Rivers, RobinsonSimpson, Rutherford, Ryhal, Sandifer, Simrill, G.M.Smith, G.R.Smith, J.E.Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Toole, Weeks, West, Wheeler, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis and Yow
Document Path: l:\council\bills\ggs\22958zw17.docx
Introduced in the House on January 31, 2017
Adopted by the House on January 31, 2017
Summary: F-35 Aircraft and F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter Program
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
1/31/2017 House Introduced and adopted (House Journalpage6)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
1/31/2017
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE F35 AIRCRAFT TO THE UNITED STATES AND SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO ENCOURAGE CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR FULL FUNDING OF THE F35 LIGHTNING II JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER PROGRAM.
Whereas, the F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program is critical to national defense strategy and offers a much needed, fifthgeneration stealth fighter aircraft to meet the operational needs of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and international allies; and
Whereas, threats to our national freedom continue to emerge, demanding the crucial advances in survivability and capability that the F35 provides. Continuing to lower the costs of F35 fighters allows for the procurement of a sufficient number of planes, which maximizes economies of scale, minimizes costs, and allows for the ample and timely delivery of the production aircraft to our Armed Forces; and
Whereas, the F35 provides economic stability to the U.S. and other nations by creating jobs, commerce, and security; and
Whereas, in supporting national defense initiatives, South Carolina has a strong and continuing legacy and is home to numerous military bases; and
Whereas, the F35 has a tremendous impact on jobs and the economy of South Carolina; and
Whereas, Lockheed Martin, the premier military aircraft manufacturer in the world and manufacturer of the F35, makes vital contributions to the economic wellbeing of the State of South Carolina, operating a 1.2 million squarefoot facility in Greenville and employing more than four hundred eighty people; and
Whereas, Lockheed Martin’s Greenville Operations facility is the Final Assembly and Checkout (FACO) location for assembling the T50A Advanced Training aircraft, which would train fighter pilots to fly the F35, if awarded a contract for that aircraft; and
Whereas, Lockheed Martin’s business operations generate opportunities for South Carolina aviation suppliers, including several that supply components for the F35; and
Whereas, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort is home to an F35B squadron, with more squadrons expected in the future, where pilots from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Italy will train; and
Whereas, McEntire Joint National Guard Base and Shaw Air Force Base are potential future locations for F35As, signifying their continued importance to the national security of the United States; and
Whereas, investing in the technological superiority of our military is a fitting honor to the millions of citizens of South Carolina and the United States who have served our nation by protecting our freedom through military service. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize the importance of the F35 aircraft to the United States and South Carolina and encourage congressional support for full funding of the F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Program.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to South Carolina’s Congressional Delegation to express the high regard the South Carolina House of Representatives holds for Lockheed Martin and the F35 Program, recognizing their importance to our national security and economic growth, both nationally and in South Carolina.
XX
[3612] 1