NEWPORT NEWS, Va., July 31, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Newport News sector celebrated today its first submarine christening in nearly a decade when Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and the ship's sponsor, broke a bottle of American-made sparkling wine across the hull of the Virginia-class submarine Texas (SSN 775). As she performed this time-tested toast, she said, "I christen thee United States Ship Texas. May God bless all who sail her."
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://media.primezone.com/noc/.
Mrs. Bush said the day celebrated the devotion of sailors and shipbuilders. "She's built by the finest craftsmen and engineers in the world," she said. "This magnificent ship is a tribute to your skill."
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas was the keynote speaker for the ceremony and spoke about the pride Texans feel for the first submarine named for the Lone Star State. "This is a great day for the forces of good in this world," she said. "This ship is another exhibit in our strong national resolve to win the war on terror."
Other ceremony participants included Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom Schievelbein; Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England; Director of Naval Reactors Adm. Frank "Skip" Bowman; Commander of Naval Submarine Forces Vice Adm. Kirk H. Donald; Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis, who represents Virginia's first district; Electric Boat President John Casey; and crew members of the Texas who stood together in formation during the ceremony.
The approximately 4,000 invited guests were entertained by the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band and the Texas A&M Fightin' Aggie Wranglers, a country and western dance group comprised of Texas A&M University students. Guests included Newport News and Electric Boat employees who are building Texas and their families, family and friends of the Texas crew, U.S. Navy personnel and government officials.
To commemorate the christening ceremony and Mrs. Bush's role as the ship's sponsor, Northrop Grumman Newport News donated nearly 200 books to all of the 28 Newport News Public Elementary Schools. The books are the 2004 Caldecott Medal and the 2004 Newberry Medal Award winners and honor books. Jeremiah Brown, a first grader at Doris Miller Elementary School and the son of Newport News employee Priest W. Brown, together with Allysea Rivera, a second grader at Briarfield Elementary and daughter of Newport News employee Heather Wright, showed the books to Mrs. Bush as part of the ceremony.
Texas is the second ship of the Virginia class and one of the first warships designed for the post-Cold War environment. With improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements, it will provide undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.
The keel for Texas was laid on July 12, 2002, with Laura Bush as the keel authenticator. The submarine is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2005. Northrop Grumman Newport News is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 10 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia class boats in the fleet.
For more information about the Texas (SSN 775), please visit www.nn.northropgrumman.com/texas.
Northrop Grumman Newport News, headquartered in Newport News, Va., is the nation's sole designer, builder, and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear powered submarines. Newport News also provides after-market services for a wide array of naval and commercial vessels. The Newport News sector employs about 19,000 people.
Members of the news media may receive our releases via e-mail by registering at:http://www.northropgrumman.com/cgi-bin/regist_form.cgi
LEARN MORE ABOUT US: Northrop Grumman news releases, product information, photos and video clips are available on the Internet at: http://www.northropgrumman.com. Information specific to the Newport News sector is available at: www.nn.northropgrumman.com/index.html
