U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes(OH-13

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com

By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor, associate publisher

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13), an Akron Democrat who represents Ohio's 13th congressional district, introduced the Airship Improvement Research for Safety and Humanitarian Innovation Projects (AIRSHIP) Act, legislation that would support research into additional civil use cases for airships, often referred to as blimps

The congresswoman said it could also contribute to economic, sustainable and clean air cargo transportation, and would support disaster response efforts and provide humanitarian aid to people and areas in need.

“Ohio’s 13th congressional district is home to the most famous airship in the world – the Goodyear Blimp," said Sykes, one of three Black women in Congress from Ohio. "This legislation will continue to establish our community as a global leader in airship technology and it will encourage innovative uses of this method of transportation to address some of our nation’s most pressing problems."

The legislation has been endorsed by Goodyear, which is headquartered in Akron, and by the University of Akron.

The text of the bill can be found HERE, and a one-page summary can be found HERE.

The bill authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to create aeronautical research and technology initiatives for improved airship safety, noise, environmental impacts, and resiliency. It also gives NASA the authority to establish a program that awards grants to teams of aerospace researchers from universities, industry, and government to advance innovations in airship vehicle technology.

In the face of challenges such as global pandemics and climate related disasters, airships are uniquely capable of accessing remote locations or damaged landscapes and delivering resources and services where traditional aircraft often cannot.

Congresswoman Sykes says "the legislation would enable and reintroduce the world to practical, economical, and environmentally friendly airship transportation."

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWs.COM