John Murtha News

Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (G&C) Chairman Ned Daffan announced today the appointment of Chris Deegan as President and Chief Executive, effective immediately. Deegan, previously Vice President of G&C's Engineering Group, will replace Rick Biben, who is retiring but will remain on the G&C Board of Directors. Deegan spent nearly 28 years in the Navy's acquisition and cost engineering communities, leading nuclear submarine, ship and combat systems programs prior to joining Gibbs & Cox in 2013.

The American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) announced that U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) would be the 2010 recipient of the Herbert H. Bateman Award. The award will be presented Wednesday, June 23 at 6:00 pm during ASA's Salute to the Illih Congress reception in the Gold Room (2168) of the Rayburn House Office Building. "Thad Cochran, throughout his 38 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate, has been a tireless advocate for a stronger shipbuilding industry and our Nation's sea services.

The American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) announced that Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is the 2009 recipient of the Herbert H. Bateman Award. This award was presented on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:00 pm during ASA’s Salute to the 111th Congress reception in the Gold Room (2168) of the Rayburn House Office Building. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996, Senator Reed is a senior Member of the Armed Services Committee, a Member of the Subcommittee on Seapower, and a Member of the Appropriations Committee. Senator Jack Reed has dedicated his years in the United States Senate to working men and women who build the finest submarines and surface ships in the world so that American Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen and women have the best in executing their missions.

Ship repair industry leaders from all three coasts and Hawaii converged in Washington, D.C., last week to kick off the National Ship Repair Coalition’s (NSRC’s) 2002 National Ship Repair Conference at the Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill. The annual conference is instrumental to both ensuring Fleet readiness and addressing the challenges that face the domestic industry. “NSRC is a leader in efforts aimed at ensuring the security of the United States while enhancing the safety and quality of life of the servicemen and women who put their lives on the line each day,” said NSRC President Christopher Long. NSRC is a supporter of fully funding critical readiness accounts, such as ship depot maintenance, which have historically been underfunded.

Adm. Michael Mullen, the Navy's Chief of Naval Operations, said Thursday that Lockheed Martin Corp. could lose part of its Littoral Combat Ship contract, depending on the results of a pending review, as reported in Business Week. Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin is on contract to build two ships, dubbed LCS 1 and LCS 3. The first ship is under construction and considerably over budget, which recently prompted the Navy to halt work on LCS 3. The Navy is on course to decide in the next few weeks whether to move to termination or to continue the program for LCS 3 according to reports. The Navy plans to build 55 of the new ships, which are designed to hunt mines, submarines and small enemy boats in coastal waters.

The interest in increasing submarine production hasn't subsided since Democrats took control of Congress last month. In fact, several efforts are under way to increase the Navy's shipbuilding budget in 2008 with funding for five additional ships beyond what the Navy had originally requested, including a second fast-attack submarine. U.S Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, has picked up the continued the debate started by his predecessor, former Congressman Rob Simmons. Last year, the Republican-controlled Congress approved the authorization for two subs a year, but failed to approve the money to make that happen. The president's proposed 2008 Defense spending plan includes funding for just one sub.

Representative John Murtha (D-PA) issued a statement asserting that the proposed Oman Free Trade Agreement (OFTA) poses a threat to US port security because the agreement contains a section granting any Omani firm the right to acquire and operate landside port activities in the United States. Source: HK Law