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

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

 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.—July 12, 2002 – Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Newport News sector hosted a keel laying ceremony today for the second Virginia-class submarine, Texas (SSN 775). Laura Bush is the Ship's Sponsor and served as the keel authenticator for the ceremony.

Mrs. Bush authenticated the keel by chalking her initials onto a metal plate. Her initials were then welded and the plate will be permanently affixed to the submarine. "A mighty American submarine deserves a mighty American name," she said. I can't think of a better name than Texas."

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Newport News sector is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first four ships of the Virginia class. Texas is the second ship of the Virginia-class.

"Skilled professionals will forge the newest alloys and technology into one of the most sophisticated ships in the world," said Mrs. Bush. "The Texas will represent America's iron fist, which our country uses to protect our citizens; and to help our neighbors and allies around the world."

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was U.S. Sen. John Warner of Virginia. Other ceremony participants included Northrop Grumman Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kent Kresa, Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom Schievelbein, Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner, Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vern Clark and Electric Boat President Mike Toner.

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, and has the capability to design, build and maintain every class of ship in the U.S. Navy's fleet. The Newport News sector employs about 18,000 people.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is an $18 billion, global defense company with its worldwide headquarters in Los Angeles. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in defense and commercial electronics, systems integration, information technology and nuclear and non-nuclear shipbuilding and systems. With nearly 100,000 employees and operations in 44 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.