House schedules vote on National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day!

Today House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer released next week's voting agenda in the House of Representatives and I am very pleased to report that H.Res. 444 - recognizing the contributions of Charles E. Taylor with National Aviation Maintenance Technican Day, is finally coming to a vote. Here is Steny's email exerpt:

On Wednesday, the House will convene at 10:00 a.m. and recess immediately. The House will then reconvene at approximately 10:40 a.m. in a Joint Meeting with the Senate to receive His Excellency, Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland. On Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.

H.Res. 444 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, honoring the invaluable contributions of Charles Edward Taylor, regarded as the father of aviation maintenance, and recognizing the essential role of aviation maintenance technicians in ensuring the safety and security of civil and military aircraft (Rep. Filner - Transportation and Infrastructure.)

(My read on this note is that the vote will be on Thursday Wednesday.)

As most aviation maintenance technicians know, May 24 is the birth date of Charles E. Taylor, the builder of the engine that powered Orville Wright on history's first powered flight on December 17, 1903. Because of his achievement, and the Wright brothers' subsequent reliance on his maintenance skills to keep their birds ready for flight, Charlie is recognized by many of us as the Father of Aviation Maintenance.

To encourage House passage through scheduling a vote and approving the resolution, the members of Congress need to hear our voices and read our words. I ask that you contact your Congressional Representative and ask for his or her support for HR 444. They cannot know that this is important to us unless we tell them. To read the resolution reported to Congress, click HERE.

If you do not know who your congressperson is, visit the U.S. House of Representatives website and enter your zip code. Then call or e-mail or both.

It's now up to us. Let's make it happen. Pass the word.

Paul Wentz, A&P
Line Maintenance Communications
Maintenance and Engineering
American Airlines

Brian Finnegan, A&P, AME
Aviation Maintenance and Production Certification
PAMA/SAE Institute