Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), released the following statement today after the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense approved a preliminary version of the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Appropriations Bill.  If passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President, the bill will provide critical funding for Connecticut’s defense industry, particularly in the areas of submarine and aircraft purchases, as well as critical radar technology research. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) visited the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Connecticut this afternoon to meet with children who participate in Mystic Aquarium’s Immersion Presents program.  Senator Dodd and Representative Courtney, who championed funding for this initiative in Congress, also heard from the President of Mystic Aquarium and the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Allingtown, Bozrah, Clinton, Hamden, North Coventry, and Waterbury Fire Departments have received grants of over $800,000 from the federal government.  The funds will improve operations and safety at all fire departments, specifically in the areas of personal protective equipment, health and safety modifications to stations and facilities, and wellness and fitness training.  The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides assistance to first-responder programs nationwide.  In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in grants nationwide.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today praised Senate Appropriations Committee approval of $241.1 million in federal funding for a variety of Connecticut initiatives.  This funding will be used for, among other services, economic development initiatives, education, health care, and family and community support programs – efforts essential to the wellbeing and continued success of Connecticut.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that they were able to secure more than $3.4 million for Connecticut initiatives in the Senate’s fiscal year 2009 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill.  Among other projects funded by Senate appropriators, the bill includes over $1 million for the construction of a new public safety complex in Hartford.      

Senator Chris Dodd released the following statement today on gas prices reaching $4 per gallon in Connecticut.  Dodd is a cosponsor of the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill authored by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) to address the root causes of high gas prices and hold oil companies accountable. Senator Dodd is committed to alleviating the pain at the pump for American consumers and strengthening the nation’s economic, energy and national security. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement after President Bush enacted the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River bill into law:

“This is a tremendous victory for everyone who has fought so hard to ensure that the Eightmile River’s pristine beauty will remain unspoiled,” said Dodd. “I thank all the advocates in Eastern Connecticut, and especially Congressman Courtney, who worked tirelessly to see this bill through to passage in the House. The Eightmile River is one of nature’s great works of art, and today we have ensured that it will be preserved and protected for both present and future generations to enjoy.” 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today met with Norwich officials, including the Mayor Ben Lathrop, City Manager Alan Bergren, Human Services Officer Beverly Goulet, Emergency Management Officer Gene Arters, Fire Chief Ken Scandariato, and Police Chief Louis Fusaro, to receive a briefing on this weekend’s fire at the 120-unit Peachtree Garden Apartments complex on Westledge Drive. Dodd expressed to city officials that his staff will be available to help the city and the victims cope with this disaster.   

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), along with Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2), praised today’s Senate passage of the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act, a bill sponsored by Dodd and cosponsored by Senator Lieberman that would assign federal Wild and Scenic status to the Eightmile River.  The bill asks the Secretary of the Interior to designate Eightmile River as Wild and Scenic, following a comprehensive study highlighting the river’s intrinsic and environmental value. 

The entire Connecticut Delegation wrote to Governor M. Jodi Rell contesting the assertion that Connecticut saw a reduction in federal transportation funding.  The delegation countered the claims by outlining the actual increase in resources that the Connecticut Department of Transportation will receive in fiscal year 2008 for critical transportation initiatives.