Ranking Member Courtney Celebrates Delivery of First Multi-Mission Vessel to SUNY
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement to mark the delivery of the EMPIRE STATE, a National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), to SUNY Maritime College. The EMPIRE is the first of five ships to be delivered as part of the NSMV program, which was authorized in 2016 by the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee under Ranking Member Courtney’s leadership.
“Today’s delivery of the EMPIRE STATE to SUNY is a powerful example of the capability and ingenuity of American shipbuilders, showing that our nation can develop, construct, and deliver capable and affordable ships to meet some of the most pressing shipbuilding needs of our nation. The innovative model we have proven here today is one that can, and must, be put to use building more ships that will create more jobs while ensuring the security of our nation.
“This milestone would not be possible without the dedicated shipbuilders at Philly shipyard, leaders of the Maritime Administration, Congress, and especially SUNY Maritime College President, Dr. Mike Alfultis. Together, Mike and I made the case for the NSMV program to Congress, secured bipartisan support for the effort in the House Armed Services Committee, and secured the authorization for the program in law. This is a great day for SUNY Maritime, the Maritime Administration, our shipbuilding industry, and our nation.”