Virginia Delegation Applauds Navy Decision to Commission USS Arlington in Virginia

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Bobby Scott, teamed with the full Virginia delegation, including Senators Jim Webb, Mark R. Warner, and Representatives Frank Wolf, Jim Moran, Bob Goodlatte, Eric Cantor, Randy Forbes, Rob Wittman, Gerry Connolly, Scott Rigell, Robert Hurt, and Morgan Griffith in applauding the announcement by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus that the USS Arlington will be commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. The announcement follows a letter sent by the delegation last week to Secretary Mabus over concerns the USS Arlington would be commissioned outside the Commonwealth.

"We applaud the Navy's responsiveness and decision to commission the USS Arlington in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Commissioning the ship in Virginia is the appropriate way to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the thousands of local police officers, fire fighters, Pentagon employees, emergency first responders and all who lost their lives on September 11, 2001," the delegation stated. "We look forward to the ceremony honoring the commissioning of this world-class vessel."

The USS Arlington is the third in a series of San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks named in honor of the heroes and victims of 9/11. The Navy has set an anticipated date for the commissioning ceremony in early 2012.

# # #