PIA Washington DC Visit PIA Washington DC Visit DayDay

May 4, 2006May 4, 2006

PIA Government Systems PIA Government Systems CommitteeCommittee

PIA Washington DC Visit DayPIA Washington DC Visit Day

Congressional Visit Day (CVD) was originally created as a time Congressional Visit Day (CVD) was originally created as a time for AIAA members to voice their concerns to Congress regarding for AIAA members to voice their concerns to Congress regarding AIAA issues.AIAA issues.

Several years ago AIAA invited PIA to participate.Several years ago AIAA invited PIA to participate.

In 2005 PIA members elected to go their own way as “PIA In 2005 PIA members elected to go their own way as “PIA Washington DC Visit Day.”Washington DC Visit Day.”

WVD incentive comes from Government Systems Committee.WVD incentive comes from Government Systems Committee.

When WVD is done as an industry rather than as individual When WVD is done as an industry rather than as individual companies it makes for a stronger voice to Congress.companies it makes for a stronger voice to Congress.

Mark West – Aerostar International, Inc. Mark West – Aerostar International, Inc.

Larry Manderscheid – Aerostar International, Inc.Larry Manderscheid – Aerostar International, Inc.

Chris Christenson – Airborne Systems GlobalChris Christenson – Airborne Systems Global

Dave Berry – Irvin AerospaceDave Berry – Irvin Aerospace

Bill Gerrow – Performance TextilesBill Gerrow – Performance Textiles

Wendy Plummer – Performance TextilesWendy Plummer – Performance Textiles

John Watkins – Pioneer AerospaceJohn Watkins – Pioneer Aerospace

John Whittles – Pioneer AerospaceJohn Whittles – Pioneer Aerospace

Fred Williams – CPS Fred Williams – CPS

John Oswald – Mills Mfg.John Oswald – Mills Mfg.

Ali Kahn – Precision Fabrics Group in VA Ali Kahn – Precision Fabrics Group in VA

2006 WVD PIA Attendees2006 WVD PIA Attendees

Primary Goals of WVDPrimary Goals of WVD

Cyclical nature of procurement for the parachute industry and Cyclical nature of procurement for the parachute industry and its long term effects on the stability of the primary parachute its long term effects on the stability of the primary parachute manufacturers. manufacturers.

Lack of investment in parachute technology and research by Lack of investment in parachute technology and research by the U.S. Government.the U.S. Government.

Enforcement of the Berry Amendment to ensure it remains in Enforcement of the Berry Amendment to ensure it remains in place to protect defense industry suppliersplace to protect defense industry suppliers

Challenges and issues associated with export licenses for Challenges and issues associated with export licenses for ITAR (International Trafficking in Arms Regulation) technology.ITAR (International Trafficking in Arms Regulation) technology.

PIA WVD HandoutPIA WVD HandoutPresented 4 page full-color brochure to each Senate/Congress meeting.Presented 4 page full-color brochure to each Senate/Congress meeting.

Addressed the importance of the parachute industry as related to:Addressed the importance of the parachute industry as related to:– Department of DefenseDepartment of Defense– Department of StateDepartment of State– NASANASA– Department of EnergyDepartment of Energy– Bureau of Land ManagementBureau of Land Management

Addressed what congress can do for PIAAddressed what congress can do for PIA– Change buying trends to ensure parachute suppliers remain healthy.Change buying trends to ensure parachute suppliers remain healthy.– Uphold the Berry Amendment ensuring manufacturing and technology base Uphold the Berry Amendment ensuring manufacturing and technology base

remains intact in the U.S.remains intact in the U.S.– Spur Government investment in the technology of parachutes and airdrop Spur Government investment in the technology of parachutes and airdrop

related areas.related areas.– Recommend to the DoD to be cognizant of the importance of geographical and Recommend to the DoD to be cognizant of the importance of geographical and

functional continuity of the current airdrop technology, management and functional continuity of the current airdrop technology, management and acquisition organizations in order to provide this critical industrial base with a acquisition organizations in order to provide this critical industrial base with a stable governmental compliment. stable governmental compliment.

The Parachute Industry is of Vital Importance to the United States The Parachute Industry is of Vital Importance to the United States Department of Defense and NASA Space Programs.Department of Defense and NASA Space Programs.

Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC)Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC)Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) Congressman Robin Hayes - Armed Services CommitteeCongressman Robin Hayes - Armed Services CommitteeCongressman Charles Taylor (R-NC)Congressman Charles Taylor (R-NC)Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ) Armed Services CommitteeCongressman Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ) Armed Services CommitteeCongressman Geoff Davis Congressman Geoff Davis Congressman Virgil Goode (R 5th-VA) Congressman Virgil Goode (R 5th-VA) Congressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ) Armed Services CommitteeCongressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ) Armed Services CommitteeCongressman Gene Taylor (D-MS)Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS)Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth (D-SD)Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth (D-SD)Congressman Ralph Hall (R-TX)Congressman Ralph Hall (R-TX)

Met with CongressMet with Congress

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ)Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ)Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) Sen. John R. Thune (R-SD) Armed Services Committee Sen. John R. Thune (R-SD) Armed Services Committee Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD)Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD)Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) Sen. Ken Calvert (R-CA)Sen. Ken Calvert (R-CA)Sen. John Warner – (D-VA) Armed Services CommitteeSen. John Warner – (D-VA) Armed Services CommitteeSen. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)Sen. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)Sen. Robert Mendez (D-NJ)Sen. Robert Mendez (D-NJ)Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX)Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX)

Met with SenateMet with Senate

Congressman Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ)Congressman Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ) Armed Services Armed Services CommitteeCommittee

Sen. Richard Burr – (R-NC)Sen. Richard Burr – (R-NC)

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) Armed Services CommitteeSen. John McCain (R-AZ) Armed Services Committee

Sen. Lindsey O Graham (R-SC) Armed Services CommitteeSen. Lindsey O Graham (R-SC) Armed Services Committee

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) Armed Services CommitteeSen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) Armed Services Committee

Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA)Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA)

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA)Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA)

Sen. John Cornin (R-TX) Armed Services CommitteeSen. John Cornin (R-TX) Armed Services Committee

Literature Drops for Congress and SenateLiterature Drops for Congress and Senate

Unfortunately the timing selected for the PIA WVD was not the Unfortunately the timing selected for the PIA WVD was not the best. Many offices were barely staffed, and it was a busy week for best. Many offices were barely staffed, and it was a busy week for voting and key personnel were involved in meetings. voting and key personnel were involved in meetings.

It was recommended that to be more effective, we conduct PIA It was recommended that to be more effective, we conduct PIA WVD earlier in the year (late January to early March) before bills WVD earlier in the year (late January to early March) before bills are passed.are passed.

The Berry Amendment had been modified the day before our visit The Berry Amendment had been modified the day before our visit in a way that will include Homeland Security, and will benefit the in a way that will include Homeland Security, and will benefit the defense industry (and possibly the parachute industry). defense industry (and possibly the parachute industry).

The impression was a lot of defense related industries are in the The impression was a lot of defense related industries are in the same situation as the parachute industries. Congress is aware of same situation as the parachute industries. Congress is aware of this and it will be considered in DoD procurement reforms.this and it will be considered in DoD procurement reforms.

Results of WVDResults of WVD

Results of WVDResults of WVD

Favorable exposure for the parachute industry.Favorable exposure for the parachute industry.

Generated Congressional awareness of PIA.Generated Congressional awareness of PIA.

Worked together as a industry team towards a common goal.Worked together as a industry team towards a common goal.

Very well received by all staffers - they were surprised to see an Very well received by all staffers - they were surprised to see an industry working together.industry working together.

Learned techniques of working within Washington DC from meetings Learned techniques of working within Washington DC from meetings with staffers.with staffers.

Networking with other manufacturers.Networking with other manufacturers.

Recognition that we all need to develop better relationships at the Recognition that we all need to develop better relationships at the local level with our Senate and Representatives.local level with our Senate and Representatives.

Lessons Learned from 2006 WVDLessons Learned from 2006 WVD

Hold WVD earlier in the year – late January early March time-frame. Hold WVD earlier in the year – late January early March time-frame.

Organize teams to focus primarily in the Senate or Congress Organize teams to focus primarily in the Senate or Congress buildings to make more efficient use of our time and reduce buildings to make more efficient use of our time and reduce unnecessary walking.unnecessary walking.

Consider the possibility of PIA having a lobbyist who could work with Consider the possibility of PIA having a lobbyist who could work with PIA to make us aware of relevant legislation issues, and support PIA PIA to make us aware of relevant legislation issues, and support PIA in issues that affects our industry. in issues that affects our industry.

Two invited participants - Mike Legg (CPS lobbyist) and Felicia Two invited participants - Mike Legg (CPS lobbyist) and Felicia Cheek (AAFA staffer invited by Bill Gerrow) were extremely helpful Cheek (AAFA staffer invited by Bill Gerrow) were extremely helpful and provided excellent information to our group. Both work closely and provided excellent information to our group. Both work closely with the Senate and House of Representatives on a day to basis, with the Senate and House of Representatives on a day to basis, and had good insight and suggestions on how congressional visits and had good insight and suggestions on how congressional visits should be planned, conducted, and followed-up. should be planned, conducted, and followed-up.

WVD 2007WVD 2007

Entire PIA industry is encouraged to participate – not just the parachute and Entire PIA industry is encouraged to participate – not just the parachute and textile manufacturers.textile manufacturers.

A stronger voice will make a bigger difference.A stronger voice will make a bigger difference.

The more states (Congress and Senate) we can get involved with – the The more states (Congress and Senate) we can get involved with – the broader our influence will be.broader our influence will be.

We need to be organizing WVD 2007 at this Government Systems We need to be organizing WVD 2007 at this Government Systems Committee meeting and strongly encourage anyone interested to attend. Committee meeting and strongly encourage anyone interested to attend.

WVD 2007WVD 2007

So, do we or don’t we?So, do we or don’t we?

If we do, we need a still stronger If we do, we need a still stronger message.message.