[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3096-H3097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE USS NEW MEXICO
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1132) honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth
Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and
defend the United States, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1132
Whereas the mission statement of the United States Navy is
to ``maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces
capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining
freedom of the seas'';
Whereas the Virginia-class submarine is the first U.S. Navy
attack submarine to be designed for post-Cold War missions
and is capable of operating in the open ocean as well as
close to shore;
Whereas the Virginia-class submarine is capable of
submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged
for extended periods at sea;
Whereas the Secretary of the Navy has named the U.S. Navy's
sixth Virginia-class fast-attack nuclear powered submarine
the USS New Mexico (SSN 779);
Whereas this submarine honors the legacy of the battleship
USS New Mexico (BB-40), which served in both the Pacific and
Atlantic theaters during World War II;
Whereas the USS New Mexico was constructed 4 months ahead
of schedule, achieving the shortest construction period of
any Virginia-class submarine;
Whereas the USS New Mexico is a state-of-the-art, nuclear
powered submarine that will help fulfill the U.S. Navy's
mission to deter aggression and maintain freedom of the seas;
Whereas the State of New Mexico and its two national
security laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories and Los
Alamos National Laboratory, have made significant
contributions to the Nation's nuclear development, including
the advancement of nuclear powered submarines;
Whereas the Commanding Officer of the USS New Mexico
embraced the sense of New Mexican culture within the
submarine including naming the ship's galley ``La Posta''
after a restaurant in Mesilla, New Mexico;
Whereas Ms. Emilee Sena of Albuquerque, New Mexico,
submitted the winning design for the USS New Mexico's crest,
which symbolizes the beauty of New Mexico as well as the
inscription ``We Defend Our Land'' in the Spanish language;
Whereas the USS New Mexico Commissioning Committee of the
Navy League's New Mexico Council led a dedicated 5-year
statewide grassroots initiative to have the sixth Virginia-
class submarine named New Mexico and has played a tremendous
role in planning construction milestone ceremonies and
supporting crew activities throughout the vessel's
development;
Whereas the USS New Mexico was commissioned by the U.S.
Navy on March 27, 2010, at the Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk,
Virginia; and
Whereas New Mexico, ``The Land of Enchantment'', is proud
to be honored with the most modern and sophisticated attack
submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well
into the 21st century: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the USS New Mexico (SSN 779) as one of the most
advanced submarines in the history of the U.S. Navy;
(2) commends the diligence of the New Mexico Council, Navy
league of the United States, and the USS New Mexico
Commissioning Committee who contributed to the support of the
USS New Mexico;
(3) commends the dedicated craftsman, designers, engineers,
and support staff of the Navy-industry team who contributed
so vitally to the construction, testing, and trials of USS
New Mexico; and
(4) honors Commander Mark Prokopius, United States Navy,
the ships first Commanding Officer, Senior Chief Petty
Officer Eric Murphy, United States Navy, the ships first
Chief of the Boat, the commissioning crew, and the sailors
who will man this ship for the next three decades maintaining
an ever present silent presence throughout the oceans of the
world ensuring the peace and safety of the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Mexico (Mr. Heinrich) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
General Leave
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Mexico?
There was no objection.
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today to support House Resolution 1132, honoring the USS New
Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S.
Navy to protect and defend the United States of America. I want to
thank my colleagues from New Mexico, Mr. Teague and Mr. Lujan, for
their work in bringing this resolution to the floor.
The USS New Mexico was commissioned on March 27 of this year as the
newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine in the United States Navy.
I was incredibly proud to be at Norfolk Naval Base that day to
commission the submarine and to salute the officers
[[Page H3097]]
and crew as they set out to protect our Nation at sea.
{time} 1515
Constructed nearly 4 months ahead of schedule, this world-class
platform contains some of the most advanced technologies in the entire
force. Among its many capabilities, this nuclear submarine will be able
to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk missiles while
conducting covert surveillance missions in both deep and littoral
waters. This fast-attack sub will move at speeds of more than 25 knots
while submerged and remain underwater for extended periods of time.
Advances in technology have allowed the submarine to no longer require
periscopes and instead use high-resolution cameras incorporated with
light and infrared sensors to guide the ship. The New Mexico will
provide important battle group and joint task force support, ensuring
stealth, endurance, and agility under the sea.
As a proud New Mexican, I would like to personally thank the USS New
Mexico Commissioning Committee of the Navy League's statewide council
for leading a 5-year initiative to name the sixth Virginia-class
submarine after the ``Land of Enchantment.'' They have also played a
tremendous role in preparing construction milestone ceremonies and
supporting crew activities throughout the entire construction of this
ship.
I would also wish to congratulate Ms. Emilee Sena of Albuquerque for
submitting the winning design for the crest of the USS New Mexico.
Finally, I would like to recognize Commander Mark Prokopius, commanding
officer of the USS New Mexico, and his crew for working to incorporate
a sense of New Mexican culture within the ship, including naming the
ship's galley ``La Posta'' after a famous restaurant we all know in
Mesilla, New Mexico.
Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating the
U.S. Navy and the crew of the USS New Mexico on its commissioning and
thanking the hardworking shipbuilders who constructed one of the most
advanced ships to ever patrol the seas.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Today, I rise in support of the resolution introduced by my colleague
on the Armed Services Committee, Representative Martin Heinrich,
honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth submarine of the Virginia
class. The Virginia-class submarine program is the first class of U.S.
Navy attack submarines to be designed for the variety of post-Cold War
missions faced by our sea service. These vessels are capable of
operating in the open ocean as well as the littorals, can travel at
speeds in excess of 25 knots, and stay submerged for extended periods
at sea.
The Secretary of the Navy named the U.S. Navy's sixth Virginia-class
fast-attack, nuclear-powered submarine, designated SSN 779, the USS New
Mexico in honor of the State of New Mexico. In addition, this name
honors the legacy of the battleship USS New Mexico. The battleship New
Mexico was the first turboelectric-driven battleship, serving both the
Pacific and Atlantic theatres during World War II, and earning six
battle stars.
Although the submarine USS New Mexico has only just been commissioned
in March of this year, it is well on its way to living up to its
namesake's legacy. She was built by Northrop Grumman Newport News in
partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat and constructed 4
months ahead of schedule, achieving the shortest construction period of
any Virginia-class submarine to date.
The naming of this latest submarine is also appropriate because the
State of New Mexico and its two national security laboratories, Sandia
National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, have made
significant contributions to the Nation's nuclear development,
including the advancement of nuclear-powered submarines. For its own
part, the State of New Mexico and its residents have embraced this
vessel. In fact, in response to a contest, Ms. Emilee Sena, of
Albuquerque, designed a crest for the USS New Mexico, as a senior at
St. Pius X High School in 2007.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague in honoring the USS
New Mexico as one of the most advanced submarines in the history of the
United States Navy and in commending all of the individuals and
organizations who worked tirelessly to ensure that the latest Virginia-
class submarine would bear the proud name of the State of New Mexico.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, at this time I have no further requests
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1132, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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