PIA Washington DC Visit Day May 4, 2006

1. PIA Washington DC Visit DayMay 4, 2006 PIA Government Systems Committee

2. PIA Washington DC Visit Day • Congressional Visit Day (CVD) was originally created as a time for AIAA members to voice their concerns to Congress regarding AIAA issues. • Several years ago AIAA invited PIA to participate. • In 2005 PIA members elected to go their own way as “PIA Washington DC Visit Day.” • WVD incentive comes from Government Systems Committee. • When WVD is done as an industry rather than as individual companies it makes for a stronger voice to Congress.

3. 2006 WVD PIA Attendees • Mark West – Aerostar International, Inc. • Larry Manderscheid – Aerostar International, Inc. • Chris Christenson – Airborne Systems Global • Dave Berry – Irvin Aerospace • Bill Gerrow – Performance Textiles • Wendy Plummer – Performance Textiles • John Watkins – Pioneer Aerospace • John Whittles – Pioneer Aerospace • Fred Williams – CPS • John Oswald – Mills Mfg. • Ali Kahn – Precision Fabrics Group in VA

4. Primary Goals of WVD • Cyclical nature of procurement for the parachute industry and its long term effects on the stability of the primary parachute manufacturers. • Lack of investment in parachute technology and research by the U.S. Government. • Enforcement of the Berry Amendment to ensure it remains in place to protect defense industry suppliers • Challenges and issues associated with export licenses for ITAR (International Trafficking in Arms Regulation) technology.

5. PIA WVD Handout • Presented 4 page full-color brochure to each Senate/Congress meeting. • Addressed the importance of the parachute industry as related to: • Department of Defense • Department of State • NASA • Department of Energy • Bureau of Land Management • Addressed what congress can do for PIA • Change buying trends to ensure parachute suppliers remain healthy. • Uphold the Berry Amendment ensuring manufacturing and technology base remains intact in the U.S. • Spur Government investment in the technology of parachutes and airdrop related areas. • Recommend to the DoD to be cognizant of the importance of geographical and functional continuity of the current airdrop technology, management and acquisition organizations in order to provide this critical industrial base with a stable governmental compliment. The Parachute Industry is of Vital Importance to the United States Department of Defense and NASA Space Programs.

6. Met with Congress • Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC) • Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) • Congressman Robin Hayes - Armed Services Committee • Congressman Charles Taylor (R-NC) • Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)  • Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (R-NJ) Armed Services Committee • Congressman Geoff Davis • Congressman Virgil Goode (R 5th-VA) • Congressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ) Armed Services Committee • Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS) • Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) • Congressman Ralph Hall (R-TX)

7. Met with Senate • Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) • Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)  • Sen. John R. Thune (R-SD) Armed Services Committee • Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) • Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) • Sen. Ken Calvert (R-CA) • Sen. John Warner – (D-VA) Armed Services Committee • Sen. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) • Sen. Robert Mendez (D-NJ) • Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX)

8. Literature Drops for Congress and Senate • Congressman Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ) Armed Services Committee • Sen. Richard Burr – (R-NC) • Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) Armed Services Committee • Sen. Lindsey O Graham (R-SC) Armed Services Committee • Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) Armed Services Committee • Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) • Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) • Sen. John Cornin (R-TX) Armed Services Committee

9. Results of WVD • Unfortunately the timing selected for the PIA WVD was not the best. Many offices were barely staffed, and it was a busy week for voting and key personnel were involved in meetings. • It was recommended that to be more effective, we conduct PIA WVD earlier in the year (late January to early March) before bills are passed. • The Berry Amendment had been modified the day before our visit in a way that will include Homeland Security, and will benefit the defense industry (and possibly the parachute industry). • The impression was a lot of defense related industries are in the same situation as the parachute industries. Congress is aware of this and it will be considered in DoD procurement reforms.

10. Results of WVD • Favorable exposure for the parachute industry. • Generated Congressional awareness of PIA. • Worked together as a industry team towards a common goal. • Very well received by all staffers - they were surprised to see an industry working together. • Learned techniques of working within Washington DC from meetings with staffers. • Networking with other manufacturers. • Recognition that we all need to develop better relationships at the local level with our Senate and Representatives.

11. Lessons Learned from 2006 WVD • Hold WVD earlier in the year – late January early March time-frame. • Organize teams to focus primarily in the Senate or Congress buildings to make more efficient use of our time and reduce unnecessary walking. • Consider the possibility of PIA having a lobbyist who could work with PIA to make us aware of relevant legislation issues, and support PIA in issues that affects our industry. • Two invited participants - Mike Legg (CPS lobbyist) and Felicia Cheek (AAFA staffer invited by Bill Gerrow) were extremely helpful and provided excellent information to our group. Both work closely with the Senate and House of Representatives on a day to basis, and had good insight and suggestions on how congressional visits should be planned, conducted, and followed-up.

12. WVD 2007 • Entire PIA industry is encouraged to participate – not just the parachute and textile manufacturers. • A stronger voice will make a bigger difference. • The more states (Congress and Senate) we can get involved with – the broader our influence will be. • We need to be organizing WVD 2007 at this Government Systems Committee meeting and strongly encourage anyone interested to attend.

13. WVD 2007 So, do we or don’t we? If we do, we need a still stronger message.