Lincoln Chafee News

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport dedicated a new $24.9 million Virginia Payload Tube Facility (VPTF) with a ribbon cutting today, Wednesday, October 15. The ceremony was followed by an opportunity for businesses with an interest in the technology to tour the facility and learn about its capabilities. Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, U.S. Senator Jack Reed and U.S. Congressman James Langevin attended the ceremony. “Since forming the Torpedo Station on Goat Island, [NUWC] has been the center of cutting-edge research of undersea technologies,” Reed said.

One of the most important components of a healthy economy is modern port infrastructure to feed our maritime transportation system. By investing in waterways, jobs are created, economic competitiveness is improved and prosperity is built for the long term. At the Rhode Island Ports Showcase in Providence, Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul "Chip" Jaenichen spoke about DOT’s commitment to making such investments. At the Port of Providence alone, port-related employment has grown from 800 jobs 15 years ago to 2,400 jobs today.

Rhode Island’s economic assets include a surprising number of prominent and lesser known maritime firms. A recent media tour hosted by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) highlighted the Ocean State’s key role(s) in the nation’s maritime industry. As the state of Rhode Island – along with everyone else, so it seems – works to revitalize a struggling local economy, it has become increasingly apparent that the marine industry will play a prominent role in that revival. In March, the Ocean State’s marine trade industry opened their doors to national trade media, showcasing the important work being done here in the ocean state.

On a crisp fall morning in Newport, R.I., friends, family, veterans and special guests gathered to watch as USS Chafee (DDG 90), the Navy's newest warship, was formally commissioned honoring the late Sen. John H. Chafee of Rhode Island. Chafee, a decorated Marine veteran of World War II and Korea, also served as Secretary of the Navy prior to being elected U.S. senator. With the historic and now retired aircraft carriers USS Forrestal (CVA 59) and USS Saratoga (CV 60) in the background, more than 6,000 supporters braved the blustery winds off Narragansett Bay to witness the historic commissioning. Speakers included U.S. Senators from Rhode Island Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee, son of the ship's namesake. "Today is a proud day," said Reed. "This ship bears an even prouder name. Sen.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will meet in Washington, DC to receive comments on the KeySpan LNG, LP proposed LNG facility upgrade at Providence, Rhode Island from U.S. Senators Lincoln Chafee and Jack Reed, U.S. Representatives Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin, Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch, and Providence Mayor David Cicilline. 70 Fed. Reg. 11010 (HK Law)

On Friday, June 23, 2006, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME); Jack Reed (D-RI); Trent Lott (R-MS); Jim Talent (R-MO); Olympia Snowe (R-ME); Christopher Dodd (D-CT); Lincoln Chafee (R-RI); Mike Dewine (R-OH); Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Daniel Akaka (D-HI), David Vitter (R-LA); Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Bill Nelson (D-FL); Joe Leiberman (D-CT); Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and; Mary Landrieu (D-LA) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumseld, asking him to increase the Navy’s top line budget for the purpose of increasing the ship procurement budget in fiscal year 2008. The request comes on the heels of a letter sent by members of the House of Representatives Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus urging support for the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Michael C.

The Globe is reporting that the cargo ship bears the name Osama. It's been registered in Syria. And it's steaming toward Los Angeles. That's the mock scenario playing out on a bank of giant plasma screens lined up for a demo here at Raytheon Co.'s Naval Integration Center on Narragansett Bay. The vessel has been tagged as suspicious based on data culled from shipping records. Raytheon engineers are using software to track its course. And they're combing databases tracing its history, ownership, and sister ships heading for US waters. Athena is part of a larger push by Raytheon, the nation's fifth-largest military contractor, into homeland security.