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Resolution
CITY OF LANCASTER
RESOLUTION NO. 03-86
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA
SUPPORTING THE SPACE ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, California's legacy includes the prosperity of the Gold Rush, the movie and entertainment industry and the computer age, but it also includes a supremacy in the design and engineering of spacecraft, launch vehicles, and the development of satellites and space based services; and
WHEREAS, California has experienced many space firsts, including having been the site of the world's first polar-orbiting satellite launch at Vandenberg Air Base, Chuck Yeager's breaking of the sound barrier at Edwards Air Force Base, and the first American rocket to probe space was launched with engines build by a California company; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lancaster initiated the first of its kind test pilot recognition program by a City, known as The Aerospace Walk of Honor, which began in September 1990 and annually inducts five of the most accomplished test pilots in the world who were associated with Edwards Air Force Base during their careers. The City's sidewalk monument tributes on Lancaster Boulevard and the Civic Plaza now totals 65 test pilots with many "firsts" in aviation; some of which led to space exploration, the landing on the moon by Honoree Neil Armstrong, and the current space shuttle program.
WHEREAS, California is the world's center for the design and manufacturer of satellites and other space hardware that contribute to scientific exploration, including support of the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Program, weather prediction, communication, entertainment, and national security by virtue of the fact that the state boasts "end-to-end" capabilities including research, design and development, manufacturing, launch, on-orbit operations and space-based services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lancaster is active in civilian/military affairs organizations supporting base programs through private citizen efforts such as historical preservation and annual military appreciation programs. City staff also plays an active role in the Edwards Community Alliance. The City has been a leader and supporter of the annual "Salute to Youth" held at Plant 42 in Palmdale.
WHEREAS, California hosts more NASA centers than any other state, including Ames Research Center, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Dryden Flight Research Center, which, when coupled with California's institutes of higher education, have produced engineers and skilled workers with the intellectual capital and innovation capable of fostering new and expanded growth areas for California's space legacy and greater economy; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lancaster appreciates and assists with the numerous educational programs NASA conducts in Lancaster, including presentations by local astronauts to youth and adults at libraries, schools and City facilities. The City is also involved in Centennial of Flight programs at convention facilities and the Engineer, Math and Science Consortium to better prepare youth for careers in aerospace fields.
WHEREAS, California employs approximately 180,000 people in space enterprise _ activities, much of which is business procured through Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, which is responsible for research, development and purchase of military and national security space systems, and when commercial applications of space technology are added ^ together they account for 28% of the global space market or $24 billion worth of business to
WHEREAS, the City of Lancaster is the home city to the majority of the more than 11,000 employees that work at Edwards Air Force Base, thereby creating a substantial payroll revenue ratio to the economy of the Antelope Valley.
WHEREAS, California's Aerospace Industry is playing a vital role in developing the technologies that will support our national Homeland Defense strategy; and
WHEREAS, other states recognize the economic importance of space enterprise in their communities and have been aggressively seeking to attract many California businesses and seek their relocation out of California with the enticements of tax incentives and other economic inducements; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THAT:
Section 1. the City Council of the City of Lancaster recognizes, and asks Governor Gray Davis and the California State Legislature to acknowledge, the economic value of space enterprise to the state's economy and memorializes them to work with academic, local governments and industry leaders, including the California Space Authority, to attract, retain and grow space enterprise by enacting policies that will assist with space-related education, academic research and development, workforce development and space infrastructure upgrades.
Section 2. the City Council of the City of Lancaster does hereby declare, and urge Governor Gray Davis and the California State Legislature to acknowledge, the date of March 18, 2003 as California Space Day.
Section 3. the City Council of the City of Lancaster calls upon the Governor and each state agency and department, within its budget authority, to promote and support the development of California space enterprise, consistent with prudent environmental sensitivity and minimal regulations designed to retain California's historic position as a world leader in space education, research and development, manufacturing, services and transportation.
Section 4; the City Council of the City of Lancaster calls upon the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Governor's Secretary of Education to work in close cooperation with space enterprise leaders, including the California Space Authority, NASA, Air Force Space Command representatives and others as appropriate, to ensure that students and California's existing space enterprise workforce are aware of and prepared for space enterprise opportunities.
Section 5. the City Council of the City of Lancaster commends the Secretary of the Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency in his effort to:
a. Foster the development of space-related activities in California, including space education and job training, flight test and manufacturing, an infrastructure development and preservation, academic science, applied research and development, business development, economic diversification, spacelift activity, space-related tourism and space industry retention and attraction.
b. Examine and recommend, as necessary, the most effective relationship between the State government and the State's space enterprise in order to effectively retain, grow and attract the full breadth of space activities.
c. Develop, in close cooperation with the Director of the Employment Development Department a comprehensive listing of space enterprise assets throughout the state, including identification and knowledge of the name and locations of businesses, the numbers of employees engaged in space enterprise, the revenue source generated to the state and local governments and other important identifying information necessary to help in finding ways to promote and grow space enterprise in this state.
d. Develop, in close cooperation with the Secretary, the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency the identification, maintenance and preservation of the intrastate space transportation network suitable for moving extra-legal loads.
Section 6. the City Council of the City of Lancaster commends the Director of the Office of Military Base Retention and Reuse for its work, in cooperation with space enterprise leaders, including the California Space Authority, the California National Guard and other appropriate parties, to identify and retain military installations and their assets located in California and to provide a central clearinghouse for all defense retention, conversion and base reuse activities in the state.
Section 7. the City Council of the City of Lancaster commends the Division of Aeronautics in the Department of Transportation for recognizing the link between aviation and space and working to promote space as a mode of transportation.
Section 8. the City Council of the City of Lancaster commends the Governor's Homeland Security Advisor for his work, in cooperation with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, California National Guard, the California Space Authority and other appropriate parties in the research and potential use of space technology necessary to meet California's homeland security goals and objectives.
Section 9. Suitable copies of this resolution shall be provided to Governor Gray Davis, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, the California State Legislative Members, the Secretaries of the various Agencies, the Directors of the various Departments, the Directors of the Office of Planning and Research, Military Base Retention and Reuse, Emergency Services, the Office of the Adjutant General of the California National Guard, the advisor on Homeland Security, the Administrator of the National Air and Space Administration, the Commander of Air Force Space Command and the Chief Operating Officer of the California Space Authority.
PASSED APPROVED, and ADOPTED this llth day of March, 2003, by the following Council Members: Jeffra, Sileo, Visokey, Vice Mayor Heams, Mayor Roberts
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