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United Steelworkers of America
Local 8888 President Alton Glass (far left) and
Northrop Grumman Newport News Vice President of
Human Resources and Administration Bill Ermatinger
(far right) look on as Maleka Copling and her
son Jah'Liehl participate in a ribbon cutting
ceremony, signifying the completion of their new
Habitat for Humanity house.
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During the groundbreaking ceremony
for this house last November, Maleka Copling wrote
her house number - 6104 - onto a metal plate and
shipyard welder Neal Metcalf used a welding torch
to weld the inscription onto the metal. This is
a shipbuilding tradition used during keel laying
ceremonies to signify the start of a ship's construction.
Metcalf presented the plate, which was mounted
onto a plaque, to Copling and her son Jah'Liehl.
Also pictured is Northrop Grumman Newport News
Vice President of Human Resources and Administration
Bill Ermatinger.
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Photos by Chris
Oxley
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Click here
to view video of ceremony.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., -- July 13, 2005 -- Northrop Grumman
Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the United Steelworkers
of America (Local 8888) held a dedication ceremony on
July 12 to celebrate the completion of the third house
built for the Peninsula Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers
from Northrop Grumman are shipbuilders from the company’s
Newport News shipyard.
Habitat for Humanity builds simple and affordable houses
in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter.
Northrop Grumman’s Newport News sector also provided
financial support for this project and coordinated the
resources. The house, which is being called the "Labor
Management House III," is located on 6104 Grayson
Avenue, in Newport News.
Representatives from Northrop Grumman Newport News,
the Steelworkers Union and Habitat for Humanity participated
in the ceremony. Bill Ermatinger, vice president of
Human Resources and Administration for Northrop Grumman
Newport News thanked the volunteers who worked on the
project. “I’d like to recognize the shipbuilders
turned homebuilders, many of whom are here today, who
have volunteered their time to make this house a reality.”
He also thanked the future homeowner for her participation
in the project. “We know that you will take this
house and turn it into a home.”
Construction on the house began last November, and
more than 100 shipbuilders have participated in the
project. On July 16, employees from the sector’s
Apprentice School football team will help move homeowner
Maleka Copling into her new house. Copling attended
the ceremony and expressed gratitude to the volunteers.
“Thank you. Thank you all that came out and helped
me experience this moment,” Copling said. “I
didn’t think this day would ever come.”
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.
CONTACT:
Jennifer Dellapenta
Northrop Grumman Newport News
757-380-3558
Jennifer.Dellapenta@ngc.com
