Click on photo for high resolution image Photo Credit: Chris Oxley Northrop Grumman Newport News and the United Steelworkers of America (Local 8888) participated in a wall raising ceremony August 21 to kick-off construction on a Habitat for Humanity house. From left to right are Northrop Grumman Newport Newport News employee Tim Smith; United Steel Workers of America Local 8888 President Alton Glass; Northrop Grumman Newport News employee Matt McQuade; United Steelworkers of America Representative William Harriday; Peninsula Community Development Corp Representative Tina Vick; Habitat for Humanity Representatives Janet Green (foreground) and Ron Nelson (background); future homeowner Pearl Whitsett; Executive Director from the Newport News Redevelopment Housing Authority Karen Wilds; Northrop Grumman Newport News Vice President of Human Resources, Administration and Trades Mike Petters; Northrop Grumman Newport News employee Robert Keaton (on ground in background); Northrop Grumman Newport News employee Dan Scott (on ground in foreground).

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., August 21, 2003 - Northrop Grumman Newport News and the United Steelworkers of America (Local 8888) participated in a wall raising ceremony today to kick-off construction on a Habitat for Humanity house. Habitat for Humanity builds simple and affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter.

"We will build the best house on the Peninsula for you," Northrop Grumman Newport News Vice President for Human Resources, Administration and Trades Mike Petters told future homeowner Pearl Whitsett during the ceremony. "And we know that you'll make this house into a home."

This is the second Habitat house the shipyard and the union have joined together to build, which is being called the "Labor Management House 2." It will be constructed by volunteer shipbuilders from Northrop Grumman Newport News and is expected to be completed in late November.

"We share in this joy and effort," said United Steelworkers of America Local 8888 President Alton Glass. "We're trying to become more active in the community and this is a great start."

Representatives from Northrop Grumman Newport News, the Steelworkers Union, Peninsula Habitat for Humanity, the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the Peninsula Community Development participated in the ceremony.

Northrop Grumman Newport News is providing financial support for the project and coordinating the resources. The building lot, located on 15th Street in Newport News, was donated by the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

"This endeavor gives us a chance to use our time and our talents to give back to the community," said United Steelworkers Representative William Harriday.

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 18,000 people.

Northrop Grumman Newport News Contact:
Jennifer Dunn, (757) 380-3558