Secretary of the Navy: “Considering the namesake of the ship and the unique roles that Massachusetts has in naval history, with seven previous ships bearing the Massachusetts name, this request is especially fitting… I am pleased to announce that we will move forward with Boston as the commissioning site.”

Letter from Secretary Del Toro to Lawmakers (PDF)

Boston (November 15, 2023) - Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Seth Moulton (MA-06), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Bill Keating (MA-09), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) in announcing that the U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-Class submarine, the USS Massachusetts, will be commissioned in Boston. In June 2023, the lawmakers asked Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to conduct the commissioning of the USS Massachusetts in Boston. 

“I am pleased to see that Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has heeded our call to commission the USS Massachusetts in Boston,” said Senator Markey. “This is another achievement in our Commonwealth's long tradition of maritime and naval contributions to the defense of our nation and democracy. I proudly wish the USS Massachusetts and her sailors fair winds and following seas as she embarks on her first mission.”

“Our Commonwealth has the honor of being the namesake for a Virginia-class submarine, and now, we have the honor that the USS Massachusetts will be commissioned here in Boston,” said Senator Warren. “Massachusetts has a long history of service to the United States Navy, and Secretary Del Toro has answered the call for the USS Massachusetts to enter service in Boston, in recognition of these unique contributions.” 

“I think it is a fitting tribute that Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has agreed for the USS Massachusetts to be commissioned in the Port of Boston, where thousands of Naval veterans have answered our nation’s call to serve” said Representative Lynch. “Across generations our Commonwealth has shared a long and proud history with the Navy and I am grateful that our citizens will be able to witness this historic event. Great credit is due to all my Massachusetts colleagues as we continue to work together on behalf of the entire Commonwealth.”

“The selection of Boston, MA is a signal milestone and represents a great deal of work on the part of many people. We collectively look forward to this fantastic opportunity to showcase the 200+ year tradition of support that the Commonwealth has for Sailors at sea.  We all will be working hard with local, state, and federal stakeholders to plan and host the finest commissioning week events for the crew, people of the Commonwealth, and the Navy,” said the USS Massachusetts Commissioning Committee. 

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