Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky, in conjunction with the Aerospace
Industries Association, hosted a "Second to None" rally for more than
300 employees on Wednesday in West Palm Beach, Fla. The rally
highlighted the critical contribution of the aerospace and defense
industry to the U.S. economy and spread the word about the potential
impact of budget sequestration.
The speaking program included U.S. Rep. Allen West
of Florida, Pratt & Whitney President David Hess, Tom Burbage,
executive vice president and general manager, Joint Strike Fighter
Program Integration, Lockheed Martin and Scott Starrett, vice president,
Washington Operations & Government Business Development, Sikorsky,
all of whom were joined on stage by 50 U.S. veterans. The veterans, who
are also Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky employees, were publicly
recognized for their military service by each of the speakers, and by
their fellow employees. Hess, who also serves as chairman of the
Aerospace Industries Association, urged employees to join the fight
against sequestration by
contacting their elected officials.
"Massive sequestration budget cuts are a threat to
American jobs, the economy and U.S. national security," Hess said. "We
need you, our employees, to raise your voices loud and clear, and tell
our elected officials that what we need is an alternative to
sequestration that keeps us on the path of continued job creation,
growth and innovation."
Click here to read the full text of Dave Hess' speech.
Coverage: