Congressman Steven Palazzo, Assistant Republican Whip, and member of the Sea Power and Projection Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, joined Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus in releasing a statement after receiving final confirmation that the commissioning of the USS Mississippi will take place in Pascagoula:
Congressman Steven Palazzo:
“ Over the past year, my office has worked with Secretary Ray Mabus and the Navy to ensure that the commissioning of Mississippi’s ship takes place in Mississippi. Today, the Navy informed my office that the commissioning of the USS Mississippi will take place in Pascagoula in June. I appreciate all the hard work community leaders from both Pascagoula and Gulfport did to bring the commissioning to Mississippi. From the veterans who served and worked to make this happen, to the ship builders who equip our nation’s war fighters; this is a proud day for Mississippi .”
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus :
“ I am pleased that we will conduct this once in a ship’s lifetime ceremony in the submarine’s namesake state of Mississippi and greatly appreciate all the support we’ve received from the entire Gulf Coast area to determine an appropriate site for the commissioning .”
The news that the commissioning, a significant event that draws thousands of people including top Navy officials, comes amid rumblings that dredging at the port of Gulfport was not going fast enough to accomodate a May date.
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Dredging Today Staff, February 8, 2012; Image: portofgulfporteis