Press Room

President Shaffer joins Secretary of the Navy for USS Colorado naming ceremony today

Monday, June 25 2012

President Shaffer (left) joined Governor Hickenlooper (center) and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus during today's naming ceremony for the new USS Colorado

DENVER - Today, President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) joined U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Governor John Hickenlooper, and distinguished Navy servicemen and women for the naming ceremony for the USS Colorado. President Shaffer served in the United States Navy, was stationed in Japan and also made two deployments to the Persian Gulf. The USS Colorado (SSN 788) is a Virginia Class submarine, and is the third ship named after the state of Colorado. Virginia Class submarines are a new generation of attack submarines with enhanced fighting capabilities.

President Shaffer offered the following comment on the ship naming ceremony today:

“It’s an honor to share this moment with my fellow Navy veterans and proud Coloradans. This vessel will bear the name of our great state, and I salute the brave men and women who will serve on it."

During today’s ceremony, Governor Hickenlooper discussed efforts by the State Legislature and President Shaffer to help returning veterans find employment when they have completed their service.

“We are taking bold steps for both active duty military personnel and vets coming home to live in Colorado,” Governor Hickenlooper said. “We have a number of hiring programs with different industries to make sure vets get first crack at private sector jobs, and passed legislation with President Shaffer’s leadership to make sure that they get a leg up in opportunities working with the state.”