{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://harper.house.gov/press-release/miss-delegation-welcomes-selection-mississippi-potential-usaf-trainer-aircraft", "MISS. DELEGATION WELCOMES SELECTION OF MISSISSIPPI FOR POTENTIAL USAF TRAINER AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION", "2016-10-24", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Gregg Harper", "H001045", "harper.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The entire Mississippi congressional delegation today praised the selection of Mississippi as the potential host to produce of the next generation of trainer aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.\nU.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Representatives Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), and Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) on Monday said the selection of Meridian by the Raytheon Company for its trainer aircraft production has the potential to expand the state\u2019s role in aerospace manufacturing for years to come.\nRaytheon plans to compete its T-100 Integrated Air Training System to be the Air Force\u2019s choice for the next generation of trainers to replace the Eisenhower-era T-38 Talons to be used at pilot training facilities like Columbus Air Force Base. If selected by the Air Force, Raytheon would construct a multi-million dollar facility in Meridian. The Air Force is expected to issue a request for proposal in December, with selection of the new trainer in late 2017.\n\u201cNew, cutting-edge training aircraft are critical to our national security, and I am confident that Mississippi workers can help provide those planes,\u201d said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense. \u201cI look forward to this competition and I am excited that Meridian may play an expanded role in defense of our nation.\u201d\n\u201cFor more than 30 years, Raytheon has been a strong partner in our state, enhancing national security and providing jobs for hundreds of Mississippi families,\u201d said Wicker, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. \u201cIt is no secret that our state is a leader in aerospace manufacturing and technology. This announcement has tremendous potential for Meridian and the future of the industry in Mississippi.\u201d\n\u201cI am very pleased that Raytheon is growing its relationship with the State of Mississippi by building its T-100 training aircraft in Meridian. Mississippi\u2019s talent base is as skilled and prepared for high-tech manufacturing jobs as any in the nation and this is further proof of that,\u201d Thompson said.\nHarper commented, \u201cRaytheon\u2019s proposal to build the T-100 in Meridian speaks volumes about our state, our pro-business climate and our people. I am excited to see how this proposed expansion advances our state and strengthens our nation\u2019s defense in the years to come.\u201d\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement proves what a crucial role Mississippi continues to play in our national security efforts. This partnership with Raytheon would be another opportunity for our state to offer our capabilities and workforce in helping serve the common defense of this nation at home and abroad,\u201d Palazzo said.\n\u201cOur state continues to be a proven leader in advanced defense manufacturing.\u201d said Kelly. \u201cThis is an exciting announcement that holds great potential for future job creation in our state.\u201d\nMembers of the delegation have worked to promote Mississippi to Raytheon as the best candidate to host its trainer manufacturing facility. Raytheon already has an existing electronic systems manufacturing facility in Forest, which employs about 800 workers.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://harper.house.gov/press-release/miss-delegation-welcomes-selection-mississippi-potential-usaf-trainer-aircraft"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7266500033438206, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}