A house RESOLUTION

TO COMMEMORATE THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE F-16 FIGHTING FALCON AND RECOGNIZE JANUARY 30, 2024, AS "F-16 FIGHTING FALCON DAY" ACROSS THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND FURTHER CELEBRATE SOUTH CAROLINA AS THE GLOBAL HOME OF THE F-16 WHICH IS PRODUCED, SUSTAINED, AND FLOWN IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, The South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pride in acknowledging Lockheed Martin as an esteemed manufacturing company that contributes significantly to the pride of the State of South Carolina and the nation; and

Whereas, Lockheed Martin, a manufacturer located in Greenville since 1984, has made considerable contributions to South Carolina's economic growth and prosperity, with an annual economic impact exceeding one hundred million dollars, in addition to over two hundred thousand dollars in donations to local causes, while providing jobs for countless residents of Greenville and surrounding areas; and

Whereas, Lockheed Martin's dedicated workforce, which includes over 1,600 South Carolinians, continues to cultivate and strengthen the state's reputation for manufacturing and national defense by producing the most advanced fourth generation fighter aircraft, while also performing repair, modification, maintenance, and overhaul services for military and civilian aircraft; and

Whereas, Lockheed Martin is a strong and proud supporter of our nation's servicemen and women, ensuring they can safely accomplish missions and return home, and building a workforce in which one in four of its South Carolina employees currently serves, or has previously served, in the United States Armed Forces; and

Whereas, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Fighting Falcon, voted Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, is critical to the joint twenty-first century security battlespace, with more than three thousand one hundred F-16s operating today in twenty-five countries; and

Whereas, the F-16 production line in Greenville, the Global Home of the F-16, is a national security asset, providing F-16 fighter capabilities to allies who rely on this aircraft for peacekeeping and defense missions within their own borders and those of their allies.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and recognize January 30, 2024, as "F-16 Fighting Falcon Day" across the State of South Carolina and further celebrate South Carolina as the Global Home of the F-16 which is produced, sustained, and flown in the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the president and CEO of Lockheed Martin.

----XX----