Texas (SSN 775) Keel Laying Ceremony
July 12, 2002

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Northrop Grumman Newport News welder John C. Fremont welds Laura Bush's initials on the authentication plate during the July 12th Keel Laying Ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine Texas.
L-R Welder Fremont, Laura Bush, Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom Schievelbein, Senator John Warner (Virginia).

Photo by: John Whalen, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Mrs. Bush chalked her initials onto a metal plate during the Texas (SSN 775) keel laying ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News. Her initials were then welded onto the plate.
L-R: Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, First Lady Laura Bush, Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom Schievelbein and Senator John Warner.

Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Northrop Grumman Newport News welder John Fremont welds the initials of First Lady Laura Bush onto the authentication plate during a keel laying ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News.
Also pictured: Tom Schievelbein, President Northrop Grumman Newport News and Senator John Warner (Partially hidden: First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of the Navy Gordon England).

Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

L-R: Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, Northrop Grumman Newport News welder John Fremont, First Lady Laura Bush, Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom Schievelbein, and Senator John Warner show the authentication plate to the audience after Fremont welded Mrs. Bush's initials into the steel.

Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom Schievelbein shakes hands with Laura Bush at the keel laying ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine Texas. A section of Texas is pictured in the background. Also pictured: Admiral Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations and Congressman Joe Barton of Texas.

Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Kent Kresa, Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation (left) shakes hands with Tom Schievelbein, President of Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector. First Lady Laura Bush waves to the crowd at the conclusion of the keel laying ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News.

Photo by: Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News