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Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

On behalf of 24,100 aerospace professionals in the United States, I am writing to request action to overturn the recent decision to award the $40 billion, U.S. taxpayer funded, contract for aerial refueling tankers to foreign-based EADS.

As president of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, I know that if left to stand, this decision harms our country?s aerospace industry, hurting families and providing the U.S. Air Force with an aircraft that is less flexible than The Boeing Company's KC-767 AT. Generations of Boeing engineers, technicians and Machinists, represented by SPEEA and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) have decades of experience on military programs. They have designed and built more than 1,000 commercial 767s and nearly 2,000 tanker aircraft. This experience is unmatched anywhere in the world.

For our own national security, it just makes sense for the U.S. Air Force to use an American built plane. As a nation, we must protect the technology involved in maintaining our own national security and national industrial base. America cannot afford to put itself at risk of supplies being cut off due to diplomatic disagreements that can result from reliance on foreign suppliers.

Reviewing and comparing the Boeing KC-767 with the Airbus KC-330, it is clear which aircraft meets the needs of our Air Force. The KC-767 produces lower emissions, is more fuel-efficient and can fly farther. Over the life of the 179-plane fleet, these factors alone will save taxpayers nearly $10 billion. Allowing the EADS contract to stand not only wastes this savings, it turns American tax dollars into an economic stimulus package for overseas workers. At a time when the American economy is hurting, it is unthinkable for our government to send money and jobs overseas to buy an unproven aircraft for our United States Air Force.

In some contests it is obvious who the winner should be - one side is clearly stronger, more experienced, more efficient, less expensive, and so on. The contract for the refueling tankers is not different except that the win went to the wrong side the side that is unproven, less experienced and offered a less fuel-efficient plane with limited ability to operate around the world.

I urge you and all members of Congress to voice your concern about this contract and show support for Boeing and its U.S. suppliers? workers who build the best refueling tanker in the world, the Boeing KC-767 AT.

Sincerely,

,

Campaign Launched:
April 02, 2008