(Washington, D.C.)--- Maine and New Hampshire's congressional delegation today congratulated the employees and management of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) on the presentation by Rear Admiral Anthony W. Lengerich of a Meritorious Unit Commendation in recognition of their service from September 11, 2001 to August 30, 2004. The commendation, awarded by Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, cites Portsmouth's "phenomenal record of cost, schedule, quality, and safety performance" and praises the shipyard for "leading the transformation of our Navy's nuclear ship maintenance base through innovation and the application of LEAN industrial practices." Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, New Hampshire Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu, Maine Representatives Tom Allen and Mike Michaud and New Hampshire Representatives Jeb Bradley and Charles Bass issued the following statement to the workforce and management of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard: "We congratulate you on receiving this Meritorious Unit Commendation. Again, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has demonstrated outstanding dedication and hard work in providing for the defense of our nation. "The Meritorious Unit Commendation has been awarded to you not for meeting, bur for exceeding, time and time again, the goals and standards set forth by the Navy. Your notable achievements have set new standards and created a model of performance not just for the Navy, bur for the Department of Defense and private industry. Portsmouth is at the cutting edge of innovation, quality and efficiency – all reflected in its remarkable record. "For over two hundred years, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has been there for our Navy and our country. Clearly, the work you are doing to return boats to the fleet faster and better than any other yard is extraordinary and should continue on for generations to come. "Your perseverance and devotion is reflected in your success. Congratulations on your achievement" Following is the text of the commendation: Chief of Naval Operations The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to NAVAL SHIPYARD PORTSMOUTH For service as set forth in the following CITATION: For meritorious service from 11 September 2001 to 30 August 2004. The personnel of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and tenant activities consistently and superbly performed their mission while establishing a phenomenal record of cost, schedule, quality, and safety performance. The Shipyard embraced the One-Shipyard Initiative and is leading the transformation of our Navy's nuclear ship maintenance base through innovation and the application of LEAN industrial practices. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard personnel established new performance levels for submarine maintenance, modernization, and overhaul work by producing business results that are the benchmark among public and private sector nuclear shipyards. The Shipyard completed six major submarine availabilities early, exceeded Net Operating Result financial goals, reduced injuries by more than 50 percent and exceeded the Secretary of Defense's Fiscal Year 2006 Stretch Goal for lost workday compensation rates two years early. Naval Shipyard Portsmouth's extraordinary performance is translating into increased U.S. Submarine Fleet readiness. By their unrelenting determination, perseverance, and steadfast devotion to duty, the officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees of Naval Shipyard Portsmouth reflected credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. For the Secretary, V.E. Clark Admiral, United States Navy Chief of Naval Operations ###