Will Ainsworth celebrates the launch of the Alabama Aerospace and Defense Council
Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth joined with business leaders and officials from across the state today to announce the formation of the new Alabama Aerospace and Defense Council (AADC), a group that will advocate for policies that encourage the growth of Alabama’s already significant aerospace and defense industries. According to their website, the AADC’s mission is “to enhance the aerospace and defense industry’s contributions to Alabama’s economy. By advocating for supportive legislation and engaging with industry and government, we help ensure that Alabama remains a leader in aerospace and defense innovation.” They list the following four priorities: Promote awareness of the economic benefits provided by the aerospace and defense industry. Advocate for policies that support industry growth and sustainability. Provide a platform for industry leaders to collaborate with state leadership and policy influencers. Foster connections between aerospace companies and decision-makers to build a unified, strong community. In a statement released by his office Ainsworth said, “Alabama is the aerospace and defense capital of the world, but we need to adopt a 67 county approach to ensure that every portion of our state shares in the jobs and investments that these important industries provide.” Ainsworth is a former national president of the Aerospace States Association. According to the AADC website, “Our steering committee includes leaders from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Airbus, Raytheon Technologies, and United Launch Alliance, who work hand-in-hand with state and national stakeholders to ensure the continued success of aerospace and defense in Alabama.” “I think we would like to see more people get involved both business people and frankly students,” Lockheed Martin representative Joe Rice said at the event according to a report on WSFA Channel 12. “We have to grow up the next generation of people to work these jobs in Alabama.” Ainsworth stressed the important role Alabama has in the space industry saying, “More than 103 Alabama companies participate in the Artemis program that will soon take us back to the moon, and Mobile is on its way to becoming one of the largest commercial aerospace manufacturing cities on the planet, but even with these impressive benchmarks, we can do more.”
Kamala Harris concedes election to Donald Trump, pledges to help him with transition
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed her supporters and the nation at her alma mater Howard University in Washington, D.C. Wednesday afternoon, where she publicly conceded the race to former President Donald Trump. Harris – the 60-year-old former California Attorney General and U.S. senator currently serving as vice president – called for loyalty to the U.S. Constitution and the peaceful transition of power in her speech. She clearly conceded the race and pledged to help former President Donald Trump with the transition. “My heart is full today, full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country and full of resolve,” Harris said to begin her remarks. “The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when i say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.” Harris thanked her family, supporters, her team, President Joe Biden, her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and poll workers. “Over the 107 days of this campaign we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by love and country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future,” Harris said. “And we did it with the knowledge that we all have so much more in common than what separates us.” Harris’ comments come as voting results continued to pour in showing former President Donald Trump either winning or leading in all seven swing states, putting him over 300 electoral votes and a roughly 5 million vote lead in the popular vote. Now, Harris is expected to certify the election in early January ahead of Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. “We must accept the results of this election,” Harris said in her remarks. “I also told [Trump] that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transition of power. “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign, the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people,” Harris continued. Harris reportedly called Trump to concede the race earlier Wednesday afternoon. Harris held off on addressing her supporters or calling Trump into the early morning Wednesday as results poured in and made her path to the White House impossible. Trump gave his own remarks early Wednesday, promising a new “golden age” in America. “Frankly, I believe this was the greatest political movement of all time, and maybe beyond,” Trump said, promising to “help our country heal.” President Biden also reportedly called to congratulate Trump, who outperformed expectations on Tuesday after indictments, assassination attempts and constant media criticism in a historic political comeback. No president has had two nonconsecutive terms since Grover Cleveland, who was elected president for the second time in 1892. In her speech, Harris laid out some of the policy or ideological issues that motivated her campaign, pledging to continue to fight for those ideas. She also spoke an encouraging message to the young people in attendance at her speech. “To everyone who is watching … this is not a time to throw up our hands,” Harris said. “This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.” Republished with permission from The Center Square. The Center Square is a project of the 501(c)(3) Franklin News Foundation, headquartered in Chicago.
