THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 1996 TAG: 9603200002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Remember the 1988 presidential election? George Bush was facing Mike Dukakis, and on the Peninsula the critical issue was shipbuilding.
Dukakis said that he either wanted to eliminate construction of future aircraft carriers or move future sub and Navy contracts to other yards. Bush was an active proponent of the 600-ship Navy and a supporter of the subs and carriers that would obviously be built with pride at Newport News.
The rallying cry in 1988 was ``S.O.S. Save Our Ships.''
In 1996, this cry should be heard again. To protect our economy and jobs, we must consider the ramifications of losing the clout that Sen. John Warner provides to the largest private employer in Virginia.
If it wasn't for the ``Warner plan'' that protected submarine construction, thousands of shipyard workers would have been laid off. Without his clout as ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Newport News would lose contracts and jobs to other shipyards.
Newport News needs the jobs and economic ripple effect that John Warner protects. Let's not risk our jobs and our children's future. This year we must save our ships by supporting Sen. John Warner.
ANNE L. WILLIAMS
Newport News, Feb. 29, 1996 by CNB