First Lady Laura Bush USS Texas - keel laying

Newport News, VA (Jul. 12, 2002) (Left to Right) The Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England, First Lady Laura Bush, President of Northrop Grumman Newport News Thomas Schievelbein, and Senator John Warner (R-VA) celebrate an official ceremony to authenticate the keel of the next Virginia-class attack submarine Texas (SSN 775). The First Lady used chalk to mark her initials on a metal plate, which is then traced by a welders torch and permanently affixed to the stern of the boat. Texas is the second of the Virginia-class submarines with advanced technologies, increased firepower, maneuverability and stealth. She is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist David Nagle. File# 020712-N-6208N-001