News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

March 03, 2002

Harman Fights For Torrance-Made Helicopters To Protect U.S. Borders

-- Hundreds of Manufacturing Jobs in South Bay Would Benefit from Border Patrol Contract--

TORRANCE - Rep. Harman toured Robinson Helicopter Co. today and announced her efforts to help the company, a Torrance manufacturer with 600 employees, compete for a contract with the US Border Patrol.

She met with workers, inspected their production line and listened to company officials explain the difficulties the company is having in competing in the helicopter procurement program of the Border Patrol agency. Robinson Helicopter Co. has been told that the agency prefers turbine-powered aircraft, and Robinson Helicopter Co. manufactures less-expensive piston-powered aircraft.

Congresswoman Harman announced that this week, in response to the Robinson Helicopter’s ineligibility to apply for a Border Patrol contract, she sent a letter to Gustavo De La Vina, the head of the U.S. Border Patrol at the Immigration and Naturalization Service, requesting that he strongly consider allowing the company to make a bid.

“As the federal government continues to develop its homeland security infrastructure, all possible technologies should be considered,” said Harman. “Border operations now include more reconnaissance and patrol duties as well as more rigorous rescue and law enforcement intervention flights. As such, a variety of aircraft may be needed, depending on the flight mission.

“Robinson Helicopter Co. is a small business in the South Bay. Its jobs help support the economy of the South Bay and its technology deserves a chance to compete. U.S. aircraft should have the chance to meet the intense demands in and around our nation’s borders.”

After September 11th, the Federal Aviation Authority restricted the private use of airspace. As a result, the demand for helicopters and other private aircraft dropped dramatically. Robinson Helicopter was forced to lay off 100 employees in response to a decrease in customers. A contract with U.S. Border patrol would help restore these jobs.

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