Honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1132) honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today to support House Resolution 1132, honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States of America. I want to thank my colleagues from New Mexico, Mr. Teague and Mr. Lujan, for their work in bringing this resolution to the floor.

The USS New Mexico was commissioned on March 27 of this year as the newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine in the United States Navy. I was incredibly proud to be at Norfolk Naval Base that day to commission the submarine and to salute the officers

and crew as they set out to protect our Nation at sea.

Constructed nearly 4 months ahead of schedule, this world-class platform contains some of the most advanced technologies in the entire force. Among its many capabilities, this nuclear submarine will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk missiles while conducting covert surveillance missions in both deep and littoral waters. This fast-attack sub will move at speeds of more than 25 knots while submerged and remain underwater for extended periods of time. Advances in technology have allowed the submarine to no longer require periscopes and instead use high-resolution cameras incorporated with light and infrared sensors to guide the ship. The New Mexico will provide important battle group and joint task force support, ensuring stealth, endurance, and agility under the sea.

As a proud New Mexican, I would like to personally thank the USS New Mexico Commissioning Committee of the Navy League's statewide council for leading a 5-year initiative to name the sixth Virginia-class submarine after the ``Land of Enchantment.'' They have also played a tremendous role in preparing construction milestone ceremonies and supporting crew activities throughout the entire construction of this ship.

I would also wish to congratulate Ms. Emilee Sena of Albuquerque for submitting the winning design for the crest of the USS New Mexico. Finally, I would like to recognize Commander Mark Prokopius, commanding officer of the USS New Mexico, and his crew for working to incorporate a sense of New Mexican culture within the ship, including naming the ship's galley ``La Posta'' after a famous restaurant we all know in Mesilla, New Mexico.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating the U.S. Navy and the crew of the USS New Mexico on its commissioning and thanking the hardworking shipbuilders who constructed one of the most advanced ships to ever patrol the seas.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes due to a natural disaster in my district. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

May 4, 2009.

Rollcall vote 243, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1307--Honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 244, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1213--Recognizing the need to improve the participation and performance of America's students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, supporting the ideals of National Lab Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 245, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1132--Honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States--I would have voted ``aye.''

May 5, 2010.

Rollcall vote 246, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1320--Attempted Terrorist Attack in Times Square on May 1, 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 247, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1272--Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 4, 1970, Kent State University shootings--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 248, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended--H. Res. 1301--Supporting the goals and ideals of National Train Day--I would have voted ``nay.''

May 6, 2010.

Rollcall vote 249, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Res. 1329-- Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5019) to provide for the establishment of the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 250, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 1295--Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mothers Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 251, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H.R. 1722--Telework Improvements Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 252, on agreeing to the amendment--H.R. 5019--Barton of Texas Amendment No. 2--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 253, on agreeing to the amendment--H.R. 5019--Burgess of Texas Amendment No. 4--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 254, on motion to recommit with instructions--H.R. 5019--Home Star Energy Retrofit Act--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 255, on passage--H.R. 5019--Home Star Energy Retrofit Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Today, I rise in support of the resolution introduced by my colleague on the Armed Services Committee, Representative Martin Heinrich, honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth submarine of the Virginia class. The Virginia-class submarine program is the first class of U.S. Navy attack submarines to be designed for the variety of post-Cold War missions faced by our sea service. These vessels are capable of operating in the open ocean as well as the littorals, can travel at speeds in excess of 25 knots, and stay submerged for extended periods at sea.

The Secretary of the Navy named the U.S. Navy's sixth Virginia-class fast-attack, nuclear-powered submarine, designated SSN 779, the USS New Mexico in honor of the State of New Mexico. In addition, this name honors the legacy of the battleship USS New Mexico. The battleship New Mexico was the first turboelectric-driven battleship, serving both the Pacific and Atlantic theatres during World War II, and earning six battle stars.

Although the submarine USS New Mexico has only just been commissioned in March of this year, it is well on its way to living up to its namesake's legacy. She was built by Northrop Grumman Newport News in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat and constructed 4 months ahead of schedule, achieving the shortest construction period of any Virginia-class submarine to date.

The naming of this latest submarine is also appropriate because the State of New Mexico and its two national security laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, have made significant contributions to the Nation's nuclear development, including the advancement of nuclear-powered submarines. For its own part, the State of New Mexico and its residents have embraced this vessel. In fact, in response to a contest, Ms. Emilee Sena, of Albuquerque, designed a crest for the USS New Mexico, as a senior at St. Pius X High School in 2007.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague in honoring the USS New Mexico as one of the most advanced submarines in the history of the United States Navy and in commending all of the individuals and organizations who worked tirelessly to ensure that the latest Virginia- class submarine would bear the proud name of the State of New Mexico.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor the legislative week of Tuesday, May 4, 2010.

For Tuesday, May 4, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 243 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1307), ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 244 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1213), ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 245 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1132).

For Wednesday, May 5, 2010, had I been present I Would have voted ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 246 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1320), ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 247 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1272), ``no'' on Rollcall vote No. 248 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1301).

For Thursday, May 6, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on Rollcall vote No. 249 (on agreeing to H. Res. 1329, providing for consideration of H.R. 5019), ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 250 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1295), ``no'' on Rollcall vote No. 251 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to HR. 1722), ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 252 (on agreeing to the Barton amendment to H.R. 5019), ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 253 (on agreeing to the

Burgess amendment to H.R. 5019), ``aye'' on Rollcall vote No. 254 (on motion to recommit H.R. 5019 with instructions), ``no'' on Rollcall vote No. 255 (on passage of H.R. 5019).

Madam Speaker, on May 4, 2010, I was delayed due to circumstances beyond my control after participating in a hearing of the Committee on Agriculture in Cheyenne, WY. Unfortunately I was not present to vote on H. Res. 1307, H. Res. 1213, and H. Res. 1132.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three votes.