Congressman's Record Includes Support for Industry Priorities

The NBAA Thursday saluted Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-3-MI) for a Congressional career marked by steadfast support for the aviation industry, including business aviation. NBAA's comments came on the heels of the Rep. Ehlers' February 10 announcement that the Congressman would retire at the conclusion of his current term in office.

"Representative Ehlers has been an aviation enthusiast all his life, and in Congress he has been an outstanding advocate for the industry," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "He has long understood that all aviation, including business aviation, promotes economic opportunity, for the Grand Rapids area, where his Congressional District is located, but also for towns across the country. We thank him for his long-standing support for the industry, and we wish him well in his future endeavors."

Rep. Ehlers has served Michigan's third congressional district for nine terms. He currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation, including aviation. He helped found and currently co-chairs the House General Aviation Caucus, which seeks to educate policymakers about the value of general aviation, including business aviation.

Throughout his tenure, the Congressman has supported key aviation proposals, including those important to NBAA Members. For example, last June, Ehlers co-sponsored an amendment to bring the TSA to the table with industry representatives to discuss changes to the Agency's controversial Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP).

In an interview for an article in NBAA's Business Aviation Insider publication, Rep. Ehlers pointed out the value of business aviation in his own Congressional District. "A small factory in Grand Rapids...uses a Beechcraft," he recounted. "The owner told me that when equipment at his plant breaks down, manufacturing comes to a complete stop. So he uses his plane to get parts quickly and get back up and running in a matter of hours, not days."

FMI: www.nbaa.org