Rep. Takano Announces Air Traffic Controller from Moreno Valley as Guest to the State of the Union
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) has announced Shyan Lasater-Bailey, a constituent and Air Traffic Controller from Moreno Valley who was affected by the recent Trump Shutdown, as his guest to the State of the Union.
“I am honored to have a constituent and proud federal worker, Shyan Lasater-Bailey join me as my guest to the State of the Union. As an air traffic controller, Shyan plays a critical and thankless role in ensuring the safety of all travelers,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “Shyan was one of the 800,000 federal workers affected by the recent Trump Shutdown. She worked hard, including working overtime hours, for 35 days without pay and brings a first-hand perspective to the harm government shutdowns inflict on federal workers and their families. As President Trump discusses his priorities before the nation, he should be aware of the gravity of the pain his senseless shutdown created and understand that he should never again hold federal workers and their paychecks hostage to advance his deeply unpopular agenda.”
Shyan Lasater-Bailey is a life-long Southern California resident and has been a proud Air Traffic Controller for the past 7 years. She grew up in Rancho Cucamonga and was an avid aviation enthusiast from a young age. Originally wanting to pursue a career as a commercial pilot, Shyan went on to attend the University of California, Riverside, Riverside Community College, and Mt. San Antonio College before settling on a career in Air Traffic Control. She has worked at several California Air Traffic Control Facilities including LAX and Palm Springs Tower. Shyan resides in Moreno Valley with her 5-year-old son and her husband, and commutes to Palm Springs International Airport for work.
"I am honored to attend the State of the Union as the guest of my Congressman, Mark Takano,” said Shyan Lasater-Bailey. “Life guided me to Air Traffic Control, turning my passion for aviation into something I could use every day to help others get from one place to another and still be home with my family at night. The government shutdown showed us that, though we are mostly invisible to the flying public, we are not entirely forgotten and are certainly essential. Throughout this extremely trying time, I was thankful for the support of Members of Congress actively looking to put an end to this senseless and punitive shutdown. I am hopeful that something like this will never happen again. I am attending on behalf of my 10,000 esteemed Air Traffic Control colleagues who worked tirelessly, and professionally, for 35 grueling days without pay, while ensuring each and every flight got to its destination safely. Thank you, Representative Takano for your support and this once in a lifetime opportunity."
The Trump Shutdown was the longest government shutdown in United States history, lasting 35 days and affecting approximately 800,000 federal workers, including Air Traffic Controllers across the country. Shyan Lasater-Bailey worked through the 35 day shutdown, for 10 hour shifts and often taking additional overtime due to staffing issues. All of the shifts she worked were unpaid while the government remained in a shutdown status.
###
Press Contact
Dayanara Ramirez (202) 225-2305