Sen. Joe Fain, third from left, was recognized as the 2013 Legislator of the Year by Washingtons Aerospace Futures Alliance at the eighth annual Governors Aerospace Summit in Everett.

image credit: Courtesy photo

For the Reporter

Citing his work on a number of key issues, the Aerospace Futures Alliance has named Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn) its Legislator of the Year for 2013. The award was presented during the eighth annual Governor's Aerospace Summit in Everett on Wednesday.

Fain is the first recipient of the award to be serving a first term.

"Sen. Fain has been a true leader for Washington's aerospace industry," said Linda Lanham, AFA's executive director. "We appreciate the work he has done not only in Olympia but throughout the Puget Sound; his willingness to personally connect with companies in our region to learn about the issues that are important to them has been invaluable."

In presenting him the award, the AFA cited a number of legislative issues Fain worked closely on during the 2013 session. As Senate Floor Leader, Fain helped secure passage of a bill to streamline tax collection for commuter air carriers such as Kenmore Air.

Fain also helped negotiate a state budget that re-prioritized higher education including $18 million in new funding for engineering students and allows students enrolled in Renton Technical College's machinists program to be eligible for loans made through the aerospace training program.

"It's humbling to be able to support the companies and professionals that make our state's aerospace industry the best in the country," Fain said. "Particularly as a first-term legislator, it's an honor to be recognized by the AFA."

Orion Aerospace lauded

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Sen. Fain named Legislator of the Year by state aerospace industry