A group of former and current North Dakotans want to bring the state a little closer to the ocean, by way of nuclear submarine.

Thursday afternoon, officials announced the steering committee that will work to name a Virginia-class nuclear submarine for the landlocked state; this would be the second ship named for North Dakota since the USSNorth Dakota was decommissioned in 1923 and sold for parts in 1931.

Officials are petitioning residents to become actively involved in the effort, beginning with a coloring contest of a submarine for children ages 2 to 12; the colored subs will be sent to Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter.

Further efforts include a form letter for supporters to sign and send; a subway sandwich contest in early June; and a July 4 aerial photo of people filling in a submarine staked out on the Capitol grounds.

The efforts are being organized by the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce, with support from the governor's office and Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who headed the effort to form the steering committee.

This isn't the first effort to have a nuclear submarine named for the state; in 2002, a similar effort was spearheaded by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and retired Adm. William Owens, who also is backing the new effort. At the time, Conrad and Owens said it often takes several years to win Navy approval.

Members of "Crew North Dakota"are former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, chair; Dorgan; Conrad; Rep. Earl Pomeroy; D-N.D., Gov. John Hoeven; Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer; former governors George Sinner, Allen Olson, Art Link and Bill Guy; Owens, Harry Pierce with General Motors; Doug Burgum, senior vice president of Microsoft; Brian Kroshus, publisher of the Bismarck Tribune; Sister Thomas Welder, president of the University of Mary and South Central District Court Judge Bob Wefald.

This year's effort stemmed from Wefald approaching the chamber, asking for help in getting a submarine named for the state. The chamber contact Dorgan, who helped secure members of the steering committee.

Battleships were formerly named for states, but because those ships are no longer used, nuclear submarines bear those names. There are about 50 subs in commission, said Owens, who spent more than 10 years of his military career aboard one.

In fact, 26 other Navy nautical vessels bear names of North Dakota places or people, including the USSArikara - a tugboat - the USSFargo, USSGrand Forks and the USSFort Mandan. No U.S. Navy vessel has been named for Bismarck.

The decision to name this year's submarine will be made in early summer.

"This is about honoring all of our brave men and women in uniform,"said Hoeven.

(Reach reporter Crystal R. Reid at 250-8261 or at crystal.reid@bismarcktribune.com.)