Kinzinger welcomes NASA administrator to Rockford, Ill., to discuss aerospace growth

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) welcomed NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine to Rockford, Ill., on April 23, where he discussed NASA’s future plans for aerospace missions at the 2019 Aerospace Symposium.

Hosted by the Rockford Area Aerospace Network, the event focused on industrial automation, supplier and workforce development in the aerospace industry.

The congressman introduced Administrator Bridenstine to give the keynote speech and discuss NASA’s overall growth.

“As Jim said, there is great potential here in Rockford for job growth through our innovation and advancements in manufacturing and aviation,” Rep. Kinzinger said.

The aerospace conference drew more than 200 equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, developers and other stakeholders, helping to highlight the aerospace opportunities in local communities.

Kinzinger is pushing for the United States to continue supporting space exploration, and noted that this summer marks 50 years since the NASA mission to the moon by Apollo 11.

“During the keynote speech, I was very encouraged to hear Administrator Bridenstine say that NASA is planning for another mission to the moon and beyond,” Rep. Kinzinger said. “This new era in space exploration provides us with new challenges to overcome, and I feel confident that by working together, we will succeed.”