Submarine Suppliers From Across the Nation Meet With Members of Congress

WASHINGTON, March 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 200 executives
representing 85 companies from 25 states met last week with Members of
Congress about the submarine industry's importance to the nation's security
during the Submarine Industrial Base Council (SIBC) 18th annual Supplier Days
conference.

SIBC co-chair Jim Jelinek said he was extremely encouraged by the increased
attendance of Members of Congress, congressional staffers and submarine
suppliers at this year's event, March 4 and 5.

"I felt the increased attendance and enthusiasm was especially helpful in
continuing to spread our message across Capitol Hill that submarines are
crucial to our nation's security and to ensuring our undersea dominance."

On the first day, Capt. Michael Jabaley, USN, the Navy's Virginia-Class
Program Manager, briefed the SIBC members on the status of the Virginia-Class
Submarine program. He highlighted a number of program accomplishments in
2008, including the commissioning of the USS New Hampshire, SSN 778, which was
delivered eight months early and more than $60 million under target cost.

He said the hard work of the suppliers and the submarine shipbuilders, General
Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, has reduced the cost
of building the Virginia-Class submarines, which led to the signing of a
multi-year contract in December 2008, for the next eight Virginia-class
submarines.

The suppliers received a brief on SSGN operations by Capt. Christopher
Ratliff, former commanding officer of USS Ohio, SSGN 726. OHIO was the first
of four former Trident ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) converted to
conventional strike platforms and now able to carry up to 154 Tomahawk cruise
missiles and more than 60 fully outfitted Special Forces. Rear Adm. Stephen
Johnson, the Navy's director of Strategic Systems Programs, briefed SIBC
members on the numerous achievements our SSBN force has made over the past
four decades, and pointed out its continued importance to national security.

The second day started with a meeting in the Rayburn House Office Building
attended by Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon
Whitehouse (D-RI), and Representatives Mike Coffman (R-CO-6), Joe Courtney
(D-CT-2), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-6), Tim Bishop (D-NY-1), Eric Massa (D-NY-29),
Charlie Dent (R-PA-15), James Langevin (D-RI-2), Robert Wittman (R-VA-1),
Glenn Nye (D-VA-2), Randy Forbes (R-VA-4), and Norm Dicks (D-WA-6).

Each of the 14 members stressed the value of submarines to national security,
especially on irregular warfare missions for which submarines are uniquely
suited. Also attending were 30 congressional staffers representing offices
from 16 states.

Rep. Norm Dicks assured the Council audience that Navy procurement programs
would not face the chopping block when Congress starts debating the budget in
April.

"The Appropriations Committee recognizes the need for full funding of the
Navy's shipbuilding plan, particularly in addressing the shortfall for fast
attack submarines," he said.

Rep. James Langevin, co-chairman of the Congressional Submarine Caucus,
cautioned suppliers to not let up in their efforts, saying, "We can't take it
for granted that other members of Congress are as passionate and knowledgeable
as we are about submarines and the level of protection they provide to our
national security."

Following the meeting, SIBC members broke up into delegations for more than
100 scheduled meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. SIBC
members urged Congressional support for three issues: support for continued
funding of the Virginia-Class submarine program, support for submarine
Research & Development, and support for the funding expected to be requested
by President Obama for the Ohio-class SSBN replacement program.

The Submarine Industrial Base Council, representing more than 4,000 companies
from all 50 states, seeks to educate policymakers and the public about the
nation's ability to design, build, and maintain submarines - a unique and
vital part of the nation's overall defense structure that helps ensure our
national security. For more information about the SIBC and the issues
presented to Congress visit www.submarinesuppliers.org.
Contact: Liza Tanner
202-207-3645, sibc@submarinesuppliers.org

SOURCE Submarine Industrial Base Council

Liza Tanner of SIBC, +1-202-207-3645, sibc@submarinesuppliers.org