Christie to Lockheed Martin Workers: 'Thank You'

Gov. Chris Christie is used to receiving accolades, but his message at Lockheed Martin in Moorestown Thursday was succinct:

"Thank you."

Christie—along with several other elected officials, including Mayor Stacey Jordan, Sen. Diane Allen and congressmen Rob Andrews and Frank LoBiondo—attended a presentation at Lockheed regarding the $100 million contract recently awarded to the company for the Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA), the Navy’s primary system for detecting and intercepting threats to surface ships. 

Much of the work on the Aegis system will be performed in Moorestown, where Lockheed employs roughly 4,000 workers, many of whom work on the Aegis system. The awarding of the contract won't create new jobs, but will allow the company to sustain its current workforce.

In his address to a room full of Lockheed employees, Christie talked about "the absolute self-satisfaction that you get because (this program) benefits not just you and your family, but it benefits all of the people in this country, and people all over the world."

Aegis is the combat system of choice not just for the U.S. Navy, but for the navies of Australia, Japan, Norway, South Korea and Spain. 

Andrews recounted a recent conversation he had with an eighth-grader, who asked what the United States was doing about the threats coming from North Korea.

"I'm here this morning to say thank you for giving us that answer," he told the assembled employees. "We are very, very proud of you. You have given us a tool to bring us through the inevitable next crisis."

Christie spread out the kudos, praising not just the Lockheed Martin employees, but also the tireless efforts of elected officials who supported Lockheed, particularly Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who was also in attendance.

He also credited the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which helped grease the wheels for the Aegis contract by providing a $40 million tax credit incentive that is part of the state’s Grow New Jersey Assistance Program. 

Christie mentioned the state is working with Lockheed to create a New Jersey Advanced Research Technology and Talent Center—a partnership among the state, Lockheed Martin, Secretary of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks and the state's higher education community. The center will enable academic researchers and Lockheed Martin's technologists to collaborate in developing advanced technologies, training and educational experiences.