ATLANTA – State Representative Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine) is to receive the Oglethorpe Award from the Georgia Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) for his significant contributions to bolster Georgia’s space industry on April 12, 2018.
“I am honored to receive this award of distinction and recognized for advancing policy that will make Georgia the next great space state,” said Rep. Spencer. “The Georgia Chapter of the NDIA has been at the forefront in cultivating the necessary leaders that will advance space policy in Georgia, which is necessary for Georgia to be competitive in bringing the commercial space industry to our state.”
Rep. Spencer serves as the legislative point of contact inside the General Assembly on matters related to Georgia’s emerging commercial space industry. During the 2017 legislative session, Rep. Spencer sponsored House Bill 1, the Georgia Space Flight Act, to attract the commercial space industry to Georgia. He also sponsored House Resolution 1107, which urges the Georgia Department of Economic Development to actively recruit the commercial space industry to Georgia, during the 2018 legislative session.
“Numerous space company executives have said this property is the finest in the country for a commercial spaceport,” said Chuck Hunsaker, chairman of the NDIA Space Committee.
“It provides Camden County and Georgia with an economic opportunity that may be the most significant in its history. Without Rep. Spencer’s vision and leadership, this opportunity could have been lost. His foresight and immediate action in the legislature to develop this legislation and get it passed provided a very strong message to industry that Georgia is open for space business, understands their needs and is anxious to attract them. Without people like Rep. Spencer, a project of this magnitude could not be accomplished. He is a vital part of the spaceport team and exemplifies every qualification for this award. It is our honor to select him as our 2017 awardee.”
NDIA’s mission is to advocate for the defense industry; promote a vigorous, responsive government and industry national security team; and provide a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between industry and government on national security issues.
For more information on NDIA, please click here.
Representative Jason Spencer represents the citizens of District 180, which includes Camden, Charlton and Ware counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as Secretary of the Special Rules Committee. He also serves on the Game, Fish & Parks, Human Relations & Aging, Juvenile Justice and Science and Technology committees.
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