Governors organize national coalition to push for Boeing refueling tankers

For Immediate Release: February 19, 2010

OLYMPIA - Governors from states across the country are organizing a broad-based coalition to advocate for awarding the U.S. Air Force refueling tanker contract to the Boeing Company.

�Awarding the refueling tanker contract to Boeing will provide work for 40,000 to 50,000 people all across the country at a time when the national economy is still struggling mightily,� Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said. �Boeing has a long history of making great tankers and is ready to start with these today. Boeing has the facilities, the technical expertise and the experienced work force to get the job done.�

The coalition is a bi-partisan effort committed to ensuring the tanker that is selected can produce the best product for the Air Force, will create the most American jobs and wisely spends taxpayer dollars.

Gregoire, who is spearheading the formation of the coalition, will be in Washington, D.C., on Monday, February 22, 2010 to make the case for an all-American refueling tanker. Joining Gregoire in the coalition are Governors Mark Parkinson of Kansas, Jodi Rell from Connecticut, Chet Culver of Iowa, John Baldacci of Maine, Jay Nixon of Missouri, Ted Kulongoski of Oregon and Gary Herbert of Utah.

Governors will speak at the National Press club on Monday, February 22, 2010 about the coalition and the case for buying the U.S. Tanker. For details contact Bill McSherry in the office of Gov. Gregoire at (206) 790-3167.

The Pentagon is expected to release the final tanker Request For Proposals (RFP) as early as Tuesday, February 23, 2010.


Event Date: Monday, Feb. 22
4:30 p.m. (EST)

Governors Gregoire and Parkinson to hold media availability
National Press Club, Murrow Room
Washington, DC
*Call-in number is available upon request*