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United States Representatives David Scott (D-GA) and Dr. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) today announce that some 43,700 Americans have already weighed in with the White House in support of the F-22 Raptor program.

This support is documented on a virtual petition that will be delivered by these members to the President of the United States. The petition, which is housed on the website www.preserveraptorjobs.com, urges Congress and the new Administration to continue production of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-22 Raptor. “Doing so,” states the petition, “will support tens of thousands of well-paying, specialized American jobs, preserving more than $12 billion in annual economic activity, and help maintain America’s air superiority as the threats to our national security become more numerous and complex.”

This petition comes on the heels of bi-partisan letters signed by 238 Members of Congress urging the president to certify that it is in the national interest to continue production of the aircraft. In addition to the more than 31,600 e-mailed letters, and another 2,000 plus handwritten letters sent by mail to the White House from employees at suppliers and contractor locations.

David Scott (D-GA) and Dr. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) will also send a representative sample of the more than 31,600 personal letters that have been emailed to the President, urging him to “certify” continued production of the Raptor. The letter reminds President Obama that in his inaugural address, he advocated moving forward with government programs that work. “The F-22 program fits this bill,” states the Letter. “It is on budget and ahead of schedule, and we are now reaping the tremendous benefits of our nation’s investment in design and development.”

“I agree with these thousands of people who want this program to continue; shutting down F-22 production would have drastic consequences for our economy and national security. A large number of us in Congress, and thousands of Americans as reflected in these letters and on the petition, agree that the continuation of the Raptor program will protect a vital national asset, save U.S. jobs and economic activity, and ensure that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to protect our liberty,” said Representative Scott.

“Even a temporary delay would drive up costs significantly, and my concern is that a prolonged disruption to the production line will result in the loss of highly skilled workers and make it too expensive to restart the production line at a future date. If this production line, the only operational fifth generation production line for fighter aircraft is terminated, we will lose a national asset,” said Representative Gingrey.

Both the petition and the letters point out that keeping the production line open currently requires no additional taxpayer dollars in FY09, and is not a rescue or bailout. The FY09 National Defense Authorization and Appropriations Acts added money for long lead items to keep the program going until March 1, 2009, by which time, President Obama must certify that either additional procurement of F-22s or termination of the production line is in the national interest of the United States.