Governor Chafee Says New Electric Boat Facility at Quonset Will Benefit RI Economy, Create Jobs

Governor Chafee celebrated the opening of a new waterfront facility for General Dynamics Electric Boat, one of Rhode Island's premier employers, on January 10. Electric Boat employs 2,200 workers at its Quonset Point Facility and around 1,500 Rhode Islanders at its Groton location.

The new facility at Quonset point will allow Electric Boat, a manufacturing firm that builds submarines, to construct two submarines per year as opposed to one. Electric Boat has a $14 billion multiyear contract with the U.S. Navy to build submarines and is a key player in Rhode Island's defense industry, which has an overall economic impact of almost $2 billion.

Governor Names Theresa C. Murray as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

Theresa Murra

Governor Chafee announced his appointment of Theresa C. Murray as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) on January 6. She replaces J. David Smith, who retired in June to pursue a career in academia.

"As we saw with the floods of 2010, disasters or crises can strike Rhode Island at any time with little or no notice," Governor Chafee said. "With that in mind, it is essential that RIEMA's Executive Director be a proven leader who can perform under the most trying circumstances. Theresa Murray certainly fits that description. Throughout her extensive law enforcement and emergency management career, she has demonstrated the ability to accomplish her objectives with excellence and to motivate those around her. I am confident that Theresa Murray will ensure that RIEMA is not only prepared to protect Rhode Islanders in any possible scenario, but that it is proactive in its emergency management initiatives, as well."

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Statement from Governor Chafee Regarding the Formal Ending of the Iraq War

As one of only 23 Senators – and the lone Republican – to vote against the Iraq War, I am grateful that we have finally reached this day.

I have long been an advocate of George Kennan’s philosophy of containment, which served the United States so well during the Cold War years, and I was amazed at how quickly we abandoned such a successful philosophy.

Statement from Governor Chafee Regarding Occupy Providence

Under state policy, overnight camping is not permitted on the State House lawn and, as signs posted on the State House grounds indicate, tents may not be erected without the proper permitting, which must be obtained well in advance. Events taking place on the State House lawn also must conclude prior to midnight, unless prior written approval is granted. The Occupy Providence protestors have previously been notified of these facts in both written and verbal form.

However, through good-faith negotiations and productive discussions, representatives of Occupy Providence have agreed to a prompt, peaceful, and orderly departure from the State House grounds. In exchange, the Governor has agreed to temporarily waive some of these policies.

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