KITTERY — Anthony Principi, the chairman of the federal base-closing commission, may want to consider moving to Maine. At the very least, he should come for a visit - there are an awful lot of people who want to buy him a lobster dinner.

At a victory rally Friday in front of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which Principi's commission spared this week, every mention of Principi's name brought loud cheers from the crowd.

The president of one of the shipyard's unions insisted that his daughter spoke her first word Wednesday, when the commission voted to keep the shipyard open.

"She said, 'Principi,' " said Paul O'Connor of the Metal Trades Council. "At least it sounded like Principi to me."

Ann Grinnell, chairwoman of Kittery's Town Council, wore a T-shirt with a photo of Principi and the words: "Principi - I love that man!"

She also handed out new yellow T-shirts that proclaimed "He's Our Man" above his picture to members of Maine's congressional delegation and Gov. John Baldacci, who attended the rally.

Judging by the enthusiasm of the hundreds of workers who gathered outside of the shipyard's gates, the party hasn't stopped since Wednesday.

"It's been awesome," said Jann Gray of Raymond, N.H., who is a third-generation shipyard worker. "People are walking around on cloud nine."

"Everyone is absolutely jubilant," agreed Nancy Peschel of Kittery. A 30-year veteran of the yard, Peschel said the base-closure rounds did bring some good: The bonds between the workers have never been stronger.

"I think we will do even more amazing work," Peschel said when asked what is next for the yard.

Elected officials thanked the shipyard's supporters, their own staffs and, especially, the workers. "You saved the yard," Baldacci said. "Thank you for your work."

Maine lawmakers also praised their counterparts across the Piscataqua River, calling the effort to save the shipyard a team effort that rose above partisanship and the recurring territory dispute over the shipyard that has previously divided Maine and New Hampshire.

"In my nine years in the Senate, I've never seen the Maine and New Hampshire delegation work more closely together," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said after the rally.

In fact, the camaraderie among the lawmakers extended to helping each other with shelter and clothing. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, drew applause and laughter when he described how Collins gave him a place to stay, fresh socks and one of her father's ties when he found himself without a change of clothes during a visit to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Limestone.

"They even had (pajamas) for me," Michaud said.

Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, said what he would take away from the base-closure process is that "we are all stronger and better when we work together."

Officials said after the rally that it felt good to celebrate after a tense week for Maine. But, they added, there is still work to do to ensure the shipyard does not end up on any future closure list.

"We are going to now make sure that we get the workload sufficient to support the future here," said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

Baldacci said the state needs to continue programs aimed at strengthening the economy and promoting initiatives that are less susceptible to outside powers than the shipyard.

"We need a broader diversity so our eggs are not in one basket," he said.

Still, the economy in the region will probably get a boost now that the pressure is off shipyard workers.

"This is a good weekend to be a car dealer," joked Mark Wood, an engineering supervisor who lives in Berwick.

Wood's quip wasn't far from the truth, said other shipyard workers.

"I saw a few new vehicles in the parking lot yesterday," said Peter Lambert of Rollinsford, N.H. "One guy was driving a new Hummer."