Boeing contract supports Americans

The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the U.S.-based Boeing Co. as the recipient of a $35 billion contract to rebuild the Air Force's fleet of aerial refueling supertankers.

Boeing is internationally recognized as the world's leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military service equipment. It has been estimated that over 800 high-paying, highly technical jobs will be created in Iowa, including 200 jobs at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids.

At least 50,000 U.S. jobs will be created under the Boeing proposal, compared with only 5,000 to 6,000 under their competition's proposal. The Defense Department should be applauded for awarding this contract, paid for by U.S. taxpayers, to Boeing - a dependable and loyal American business, with a high-quality, unionized work force.

Todd Taylor

State representative

Cedar Rapids