PARIS, FRANCE–U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Brian Bonlender, Director of the Washington state Department of Commerce, will lead Washington state’s largest-ever delegation to the International Paris Air Show – the world’s premiere aircraft exposition event. As in 2013, Larsen will take a leave of absence for one week while attending the Air Show.

Larsen, who is taking the place of Washington Governor Jay Inslee at the Governor’s request, is uniquely positioned to lead the delegation given his role as the top-Ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Aviation.

The Paris Air Show gives Washington aerospace companies the opportunity to showcase products and services to customers from around the globe. And according to the Washington State Department of Commerce, companies that joined the 2015 Commerce Paris Air Show delegation generated more than $125 million as result of their participation.

“The aerospace industry is an economic engine in the Pacific Northwest, and the aircraft produced by Washington workers are the envy of world. I forward to bringing that message to Paris, assisting my home state, helping showcase all that Washington has to offer to the global aerospace community,” said Larsen.

“As Washington state enters its second century of developing and building world-class aircraft, unmanned systems and space exploration vehicles, I know the future holds great promise for our aerospace industry,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “More than 1,000 aerospace companies in this state have redefined the industry with strong, skilled workforce who are passionate about the work they do and proud of the products and services they produce.  I am proud that Congressman Larsen is leading this year’s delegation, as his knowledge, experience and passion for this industry serve our state well.”

“After building more than a century of leadership in this industry, Washington state’s entrepreneurial culture continues shaping the future of flight and space exploration,” said Commerce Director Bonlender. “A strong aerospace industry strengthens communities by creating the next generation of experts who will envision and hold the jobs of the future.”

Sixty-three participants representing aerospace clusters all over Washington state will be featured in the “Choose Washington” exhibit, including:

• AIT/Nova-Tech Engineering – Lynnwood, WA
• Orion Industries – Mukilteo, WA
• Seacast – Marysville, WA
• Industrial Machine Tool – Anacortes, WA
• Pioneer Industries – Seattle, WA
• AIM Aerospace – Renton, WA
• Renton Coil Spring – Renton, WA
• Tool Gauge – Tacoma, WA
• National Precision Bearing – Preston, WA
• Silicon Forest Electronics  – Vancouver, WA
• Sagetech – White Salmon, WA

Washington state is home to a global aerospace industry that employs more than 136,000 people, produces about nine of every 10 commercial aircraft made in North America, and adds more than $70 billion in revenue annually to the state economy.

Larsen will help lead the Washington state delegation to the Paris Air Show from Saturday, June 17^th  – Friday, June 23^rd, 2017

As in 2013, Larsen will announce how he would have voted in the House each day.

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