Rep. Courtney Celebrates Commissioning of the USS Rickover
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Navy Commissioned the USS Rickover, a Virginia-class submarine which was built by the talented workers at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. Watch the Congressman’s remarks and the ceremony live here at 10:00am.
“Today marks an important milestone for EB shipbuilders, Navy leaders and Sailors, and the state of our U.S. submarine fleet as we celebrate the commissioning of the USS Hyman Rickover. Since its christening in July 2021, Electric Boat’s shipbuilders and Captain Matthew Beach and his crew have not taken their eye off the ball, and relentlessly worked to get this submarine delivered to the Navy’s fleet.
“They are part of a new generation of shipbuilders and sailors who commissioned two Virginia submarines last year, OREGON and MONTANA, and will launch two more submarines in rapid succession – RICKOVER today and NEW JERSEY in the coming months. What’s more, 13 Virginia subs are in the production queue after these vessels. All this comes on the heels of last week’s ratification of a five-year labor contract with Groton’s Metal Trades Council, which will invigorate the historic hiring surge at Electric Boat’s shipyard.
“This year alone, EB has hired 4,400 workers into our shipyards here in Southern New England, well on their way to the calendar year hiring goal of 5,750 – a goal that is the largest in the company’s 120-year history by far.
“As these patriots enter the workforce at Electric Boat – many of whom are Gen Z and millennials – Admiral Rickover’s passionate advocacy for America to raise its education standards still resonates as never before. Today’s successful launch of this technological wonder is a testament to this new workforce, not only because of the diversity of their rich talent pool, but also because of their proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and math.
“This is a great day for the Navy, our shipbuilders, international allies and partners, and veterans, to renew Admiral Rickover’s legacy of excellence. And to the crew, congratulations on a job well done, and best wishes as you embark your journey to do great things for our nation.”