The White House Historical Association Joins the U.S. Navy and Carter Presidential Library and Museum for the Naming Ceremony of the USS Atlanta
White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin Delivered Remarks at the Ceremony to Honor the Carter FamilyWashington, D.C. —
The White House Historical Association recently participated in a naming ceremony for a future Virginia-class submarine, officially named the USS Atlanta to honor the city of Atlanta and the five previous Navy vessels named Atlanta. The ceremony took place on October 23, 2024, at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, delivered remarks during the ceremony, alongside Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Congresswoman Nikema Williams from Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Mr. Josh Carter of the Carter Family.
“As the USS Atlanta is named today, we celebrate not just a great new submarine, but the ideals of honor, courage, and commitment that define the United States Navy. And we honor President Carter, whose life of faith, service, dedication, and leadership will inspire all who serve aboard the USS Atlanta,” McLaurin said.
“Atlanta is a city that has been a center of progress and change—qualities that reflect President Carter’s own contributions to the United States. From his time as Georgia’s governor to his presidency and his post-presidential humanitarian efforts, President Carter’s connection to Atlanta runs deep.”
The USS Atlanta is named after the place that shaped Carter’s leadership and vision for the future. The naming selection of the future USS Atlanta (SSN 813) also continues the trend of naming Virginia-class submarines after cities.
President Carter is the only U.S. president to have graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, a unique distinction that reflects his lifelong commitment to duty and service. He also went on to serve in the nuclear navy under the mentorship of Admiral Hyman Rickover, the father of the nuclear fleet.
This year, the White House Historical Association also celebrates another milestone: the 2024 White House Christmas ornament, which honors President Carter with an anchor design that represents his time in the Navy. The ornament is a demonstration of his enduring legacy in the White House, a legacy rooted in compassion, diplomacy, and a deep sense of duty to the American people.
For more information, please contact press@whha.org.
P.D.F. Resources
Download the PDFAbout the White House Historical Association
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.
