[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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