SR685: SR685 Georgia Aerospace and Defense Day; recognize February 3, 2026

26 LC 129 0886 Senate Resolution 685 By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th, Watso n of the 1st, Anavitarte of the 31st, Walker III of the 20th and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the work of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognizing February1 3, 2026, as Georgia Aerospace and Defense Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Georgia is home to a robust aerospace and defense indu stry, encompassing3 more than 800 companies, including an estimated 320 aerospace manufacturing firms, more4 than 120 MRO facilities, and over 70 airline and charter operat ions employing more than5 200,000 Georgians; and6 WHEREAS, aerospace and defense industry products are Georgia's top export product7 category and the state's second largest manufacturing industry, generating an estimated8 annual economic impact of $57.5 billion; and9 WHEREAS, aerospace and defense industry products have remained the State of Georgia's10 number one international export since 2004, with 2024 aerospace and defense exports11 totaling $12.6 billion, including civilian aircraft and parts, turbojets, turbo propellers, aircraft12 launching gear, parachutes, and nonpowered aircraft; and13 S. R. 685 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0886 WHEREAS, in 2024, Georgia's top ten international markets for aerospace industry exports14 included Canada, Chile, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, U.A.E., and the15 United Kingdom; and16 WHEREAS, this state has a proud history as both a manufacturer and host of advanced17 military aircraft and equipment, and seven of the world's top ten defense contractors maintain18 a presence within the state of Georgia, serving as top employers for newly retired veterans;19 and20 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia received more than $15.3 billion in Department of War21 funding in Fiscal Year 2023, representing the economic impact of personnel salaries, defense22 contracts, and facility construction; and23 WHEREAS, the Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance (GADA) serves as the unified voice24 for Georgia's aerospace, aviation, and defense ecosystem, bringing together industry leaders,25 higher education institutions, and government partners to advoc ate for workforce26 development, innovation, and long-term competitiveness, and was founded by Gulfstream27 Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, FlightSafety International, Rolls-Royce, and RTX; and28 WHEREAS, Georgia's higher education institutions are dedicated to delivering top-tier talent29 for the aerospace and defense mission through the aerospace career pipeline; and30 WHEREAS, the Georgia Institute of Technology is home to the number one public aerospace31 engineering program in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report, and the32 Georgia Tech Research Institute executes nearly $1 billion of sponsored research for national33 security and keeping our nation safe; and34 S. R. 685 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0886 WHEREAS, Mercer University, through its School of Engineering a nd the Mercer35 Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer University, has been36 an integral partner to the Robins Air Force Base community since 1987, advancing applied37 research, engineering innovation, and workforce development, with nearly 90 percent of its38 School of Engineering graduates remaining in this state; and 39 WHEREAS, Georgia Southern University's Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and40 Computing is advancing aerospace innovation through cutting-edge research in sustainable41 fuels, aircraft power systems, and advanced manufacturing, while equipping students with42 the skills and expertise needed to support Georgia's aerospace industry; and43 WHEREAS, the flagship and land grant institution of this state, the University of Georgia's44 College of Engineering is dedicated to supporting the state's t hriving and expanding45 aerospace industry through education, workforce development, collaborative and innovative46 research, and by providing support to those investing in our great state; and47 WHEREAS, Kennesaw State University (KSU) is meeting the growing demand for48 aerospace talent by launching its Bachelor of Science in Aerosp ace Engineering degree49 program, building on the success of its highly enrolled minor, offering hands-on research50 opportunities, industry collaboration, and experiential learning designed to prepare graduates51 for careers in aeronautics and astronautics; and 52 WHEREAS, with 68 percent of KSU engineering graduates remaining in Georgia five years53 after graduation, the university's aerospace engineering program will strengthen the state's54 workforce while advancing innovation in one of Georgia's most critical industries; and55 S. R. 685 - 3 - 26 LC 129 0886 WHEREAS, Lockheed Martin is celebrating its seventy-fifth anniv ersary of continuous56 operations in Marietta, Georgia, in 2026, and builds two iconic military programs, the C-130J57 Super Hercules and the F-35 Lightning II, in its Georgia facili ties, supporting direct and58 indirect jobs for more than 20,000 Georgians; and59 WHEREAS, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has operated continuously at its worldwide60 headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, since 1967, designing, manufacturing, and supporting61 the world's most technologically advanced business aircraft, now employs more than 13,00062 in this state, has a Georgia payroll of over $1.4 billion and is the largest manufacturer in the63 state; and64 WHEREAS, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world's busiest and65 most efficient passenger airport and Georgia is home to the largest single container terminal66 and most extensive rail and interstate system in the Southeast, providing a seamless air, sea, 67 and ground transportation network; and68 WHEREAS, Georgia's aerospace and defense industry continues to grow thanks to the state's69 positive business climate and bipartisan support at the local, state, and federal levels of70 government.71 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body72 honor the work of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognize February 3, 2026,73 as Georgia Aerospace and Defense Day at the state capitol.74 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed75 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to representatives of76 S. R. 685 - 4 - 26 LC 129 0886 the aerospace and defense industry, higher education officials, and other representatives as77 deemed necessary.78 S. R. 685 - 5 -