Ship's Sponsor

Dotty England is a native of Maryland and a proud resident of Fort Worth, Texas. She and her husband, Gordon England, former 72nd and 73rd Secretary of the Navy and deputy secretary of defense, met as students at the University of Maryland and were married at the chapel on campus. They have three grown children and two grandchildren. While Mr. England was serving as Secretary of the Navy for four and half years, Mrs. England was serving the families of the Sailors and Marines, with a special emphasis on their housing, medical care and other support activities. She is especially honored to be the sponsor of the USS New York. In 2004, she participated in the ceremonial pouring of salvaged steel from the World Trade Center which was used for the bow stem of the USS New York. On March 1, 2008, she christened the USS New York in Avondale, Louisiana. 

"It is a humbling and profound honor to represent the victims, families and the heroes of 9-11, the people of New York and all Americans. This nation will never forget what happened that day... and will forever cherish the sacrifices of all those preserve our freedoms and liberties."
                                                                                                                                                                                            -- Mrs. Dotty England