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MARTINEZ: HOMEPORTING CARRIER AT MAYPORT IS A VICTORY FOR FLORIDA AND OUR NATION


November 25, 2008 -

Jacksonville, FL -

Today, U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) along with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), Ander Crenshaw (R-Jacksonville), U.S. Representatives Corrine Brown (D-Jacksonville), and Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, discussed the Navy’s decision to designate the Mayport Naval Station as the future home of a nuclear powered carrier. The group met with members of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Commission. On November 17, 2008, the U.S. Navy announced their preference to place a nuclear carrier in the Jacksonville port.

“The Florida delegation is united behind the Navy’s desire to homeport a nuclear carrier in Jacksonville. This is what’s best for national security,” said Martinez, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower subcommittee. “The strategic importance of carrier dispersal can’t be questioned. The task now is to upgrade Mayport as quickly as possible. I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to ensure Mayport receives the military construction dollars needed to be nuclear-homeport ready.”

Senator Martinez has requested the bulk of construction monies necessary for upgrading Mayport be included in the president’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget due to be released in February of 2009. Moving a nuclear-powered carrier will bring an estimated additional 3,200 military personnel to Mayport.

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November 2008 News Releases