Rounds Attends Keel Laying Ceremony for the Navy’s 17th Virginia Class Submarine SOUTH DAKOTA

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today spoke at the keel laying ceremony for the SSN-790, which will be commissioned as the USS South Dakota. The South Dakota is a next-generation, Virginia Class nuclear submarine designed to fulfill 21st century mission requirements. It is scheduled to join the fleet in August 2018. 

Rounds’ remarks, as prepared for delivery:

General and Mrs. Dempsey, Governor Raimondo, Senator Whitehouse, Congressman Langevin, Congressman Courtney and Admiral Jabalay.

On behalf of the people of South Dakota I am honored to join you and all who are here today for this wonderful event.  As a lifelong South Dakotan, this is very special for me to represent the people of my state at the keel laying of the USS South Dakota.  With today’s ceremony, a new symbolic link is forged between our state and the Navy.  

Additionally, as a member of the Seapower Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee it is truly a privilege to be present for a milestone in the history of a future vessel of such importance for our national security.

It is also a tribute to South Dakotans’ long history of service in our armed forces, to include service which continues today throughout our Navy.  And of course that service will continue throughout the decades that this magnificent vessel will serve our nation.

It has been nearly seven decades since the last USS South Dakota, a battleship, was recognized with this honor.  I am confident this USS South Dakota will follow proudly in the tradition of its forebear which had such a distinguished history during World War II.  South Dakotans can be proud of that history and the history that will be written by the submarine we recognize today.  I look forward to following that history in the years to come. Finally, I would like to thank the brave sailors who served on the USS South Dakota in decades past and thank in advance those who will serve on the future USS South Dakota.

 Thank you for the opportunity to join you today and for the honor of representing the people of South Dakota at this special event.