HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02), on Monday applauded the U.S. Navy’s decision to name the third Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, the largest and most capable submarine built by the United States, the “USS GROTON” after Groton, Connecticut. The USS GROTON is scheduled for delivery in 2032. U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, also announced that Cynthia Blumenthal will serve as the sponsor of the future USS Groton. Sponsors are selected by the Secretary of the Navy and hold a unique role by maintaining a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.

“It’s only fitting the U.S. Navy is naming our next Columbia Class submarine after Groton, Connecticut— the Submarine Capital of the World,” said Murphy. “This is a well-deserved recognition of Groton’s rich history as a global leader in submarine technology and innovation, and a home to the thousands of Electric Boat workers and small businesses who power our nation’s naval defense. I will continue to use my seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to make sure the next administration advances our submarine programs quickly and cost-effectively, supports our maritime industrial workforce, and ensures the full and timely delivery of the cutting-edge submarines we need to uphold our national security.”

“Naming the USS GROTON recognizes this iconic Connecticut town as the submarine capitol of the world— honoring the unsurpassed skill and dedication of men and women who work there. Groton has a rich shipbuilding legacy, and proven commitment to our national defense— manufacturing and maintaining vital weapons platforms, and sustaining our undersea superiority. It is a proud community of hard workers, veterans, patriots, and public servants, and this honor celebrates them. I am proud that my wife, Cynthia, will be the sponsor of the USS GROTON and serve as a bond between the vessel, her crew, and our nation – an honor and privilege Cynthia is perfectly qualified to take on,” said Blumenthal.

“Today’s decision by the US Navy to honor Groton, Connecticut as the name of its next submarine is welcome news. Groton is the birthplace of the modern nuclear-powered Navy under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover and home to our nation’s oldest submarine base, as well as the Electric Boat shipyard whose talented shipbuilders have played a leading role since World War II where they constructed 74 submarines to fight the Axis powers. The naming of the third Columbia class submarine as the future USS GROTON is a well-deserved badge of honor that rightly acknowledges our community’s historic role in the United States submarine force,” said Courtney.

Groton, Connecticut is commonly referred to as the “Submarine Capital of the World” and is home to the United States Naval Submarine Base, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and the historic USS Nautilus and Submarine Force Museum. Groton is a leader in the country in designing, manufacturing, and sustaining the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. Groton became known as the “Submarine Capital of the World” when the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics delivered 74 diesel submarines to the Navy in World War II.

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