Letter to James McNerney Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer The Boeing Company

Letter

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today invited Boeing's CEO to Wichita to work with state and local officials and employees on fulfilling Boeing's commitment to Kansans.

Earlier this year, Boeing was awarded the contract in the U.S. Air Force tanker competition. During the competition for the contract, Boeing pledged that a win would bring approximately 7,500 jobs to Kansas, including hundreds of Boeing jobs associated with the finishing work on the new tankers. Boeing recently announced the company is studying the future of its Wichita facility, and among the options being reviewed is the potential closure of the Wichita site.

"I join many Kansans who are surprised and disappointed by the revelation that Boeing is studying the potential closure of its Wichita defense facility," Sen. Moran said in an open letter to Boeing CEO James McNerney. "While I understand the pressures facing U.S. businesses during the past several years, I am deeply troubled by the notion that a promise made is not a promise kept. As Boeing reviews the Wichita facility, I ask that Boeing CEO McNerney come to Wichita to work with state and local officials and employees on fulfilling Boeing's commitment to Kansans. A company so much a part of the Wichita community for 80 years should live up to their pledge to the community."

The full text of the open letter to Mr. McNerney is included below or can be accessed here.

December 7, 2011

Mr. James McNerney
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
The Boeing Company
100 North Riverside
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Dear Mr. McNerney:

I join many Kansans who are surprised and disappointed by the revelation that Boeing is studying the potential closure of its Wichita defense facility.

For most of the past century, the Boeing name has been synonymous with our world's Air Capital, Wichita. This mutually beneficial partnership between Boeing and Kansas was evident during the last decade as the tanker battle was waged in the halls of Congress and the Pentagon. Standing by Boeing as one of their greatest allies in this fight were the people of Kansas. A win for Boeing, we were told by Boeing throughout the process, would bring thousands of jobs to the state, including hundreds of Boeing jobs associated with the finishing work on the new tankers.

To quote a Boeing press release from last year, "Kansas will benefit from approximately 7,500 jobs and an estimated $388 million in annual economic impact if the Boeing NewGen Tanker is selected as the U.S. Air Force's next aerial refueling aircraft. Boeing employees working at the Wichita, Kan., site will play an important role in modifying commercial 767 airplanes into NewGen military tankers if the company is selected for the contract. This is highly skilled work that Boeing workers in Kansas know well, having performed similar modifications in recent years on eight 767 tankers for Japan and Italy."

When the Air Force reached a decision this year to award the tanker contract to Boeing, Kansans who worked so hard during the competition celebrated the news -- from workers, to suppliers, to officials past and present at the city, county, state, and federal levels, including the current Congressional delegation, as well as Governor Sam Brownback and former Congressman Todd Tiahrt.

Today, that joy has turned to dismay as Kansans question whether Boeing will honor their commitment to jobs. While I understand the pressures facing U.S. businesses during the past several years, I am deeply troubled by the notion that a promise made is not a promise kept. A company so much a part of the Wichita community for 80 years should live up to their pledge to the community. As Boeing reviews the Wichita facility, I ask that you come to Wichita to work with state and local officials and employees on fulfilling Boeing's commitment to Kansans.

I hope you will agree that the relationship between Boeing and Wichita's talented workforce, unbeatable suppliers, and supportive community is worth preserving.

Very Truly Yours,

Jerry Moran

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