U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria represents Virginia's Second Congressional District. Prior to her election in 2018, Rep. Luria served two decades in the Navy, retiring at the rank of Commander. Rep. Luria served at sea on six ships as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, deployed to the Middle East and Western Pacific, and culminated her Navy career by commanding a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors. Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee and a member the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rep. Luria was one of the first women in the Navy's nuclear power program and among the first women to serve the entirety of her career in combatant ships. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the committee's Vice Chair, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves as Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Homeland Security. Of all members in the House Democratic Caucus, she served the longest on active duty, having completed 20 years of active military service with the U.S. Navy. Rep. Luria graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and received a master's in engineering management from Old Dominion University.
Infrastructure is the backbone of Virginia's Second Congressional District. Improving maritime infrastructure is essential for our community, which is home to one of the largest ports on the East Coast, the world's largest naval base, and numerous other major military installations. By deepening and widening our port, larger vessels can bring more goods and services into the Port of Virginia. Improvements to our maritime infrastructure benefits all users of the harbor and the U.S. Navy.
Another key component of infrastructure is the expansion of broadband access. High-speed internet breaks down the barriers of distance and time, allowing residents of rural areas to participate in economic and civic life far beyond Virginia's Second District. Among other things, broadband expansion allows direct access to global markets, new streams of information, and online education options. Broadband access is also critical to make our farmers competitive as modern precision farming relies on internet access to use technology to monitor crops.
The long-term economic benefits of investing in our infrastructure includes job creation, economic investment, and the efficient flow of goods to Virginians. Investing in our nation's infrastructure is vital to boosting not only our district's economy, but the global economy.