Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that fire departments in Farmington, Wallingford, Union, Meriden, Westport, and Woodstock have been awarded federal grants totaling more than $400,000. The funds will go to improving operations and safety at their facilities. The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides aid to first-responder programs nationwide with the aim of providing better equipment to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of the first-responders themselves. In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in nationwide grants.

Agreement Will Keep Jobs in Connecticut

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), along with Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Representative John Larson (CT-1), today praised an agreement between Connecticut-based Hamilton Sundstrand and Oceaneering International that will allow workers in Connecticut to continue producing components for NASA’s space suits.  Hamilton Sundstrand and Oceaneering International have agreed to submit a single bid to NASA for the new Constellation Space Suit System contract.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, welcomed new federal funding for Connecticut organizations that provide counseling and legal assistance to families facing the threat of foreclosure.  The grants, which were announced today by NeighborWorks America, will provide $681,230 to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and $202,536 to the Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven.  Several national organizations with offices in Connecticut will also receive large grants. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, will hear testimony from James Fleming, the president of the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association, at the Committee’s second hearing to examine the state of America’s automobile industry on Thursday morning. 

FARMINGTON — U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd warned Saturday that the failure to develop comprehensive after-school programs places not just children, but the nation as a whole at risk.

Speaking before nearly 300 delegates of the Connecticut After School Network symposium, Dodd hailed their efforts and told the delegates he uses Connecticut’s programs “as a model for national after-school programs.”

As recent news reports show that foreclosures in Connecticut have risen 134% in the month of October, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, held an oversight hearing today on the implementation of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, focusing on foreclosure prevention efforts, ensuring that lenders are using the federal funds for lending, and executive compensation policies.

NEW BRITAIN - For years, Richard Ahern labored to put food on his family's table and a roof over their heads. Then, three years ago, he was injured and went on Social Security disability. Unable to pay his heating bills, he turned to the Human Resources Agency of New Britain for help.

Ahern's story was one of several Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd heard Monday in a visit to the Human Resources Agency's Arch Street office.

NEW BRITAIN - For years Richard Ahern labored to put food on his family's table and a roof over their heads. Then, three years ago he was injured and went on Social Security disability. Unable to pay his heating bills, he turned to the Human Resources Agency of New Britain for help.

"I found people here wanting to help me, to keep my family in our home," he said. "If it hadn't been for HRA, we'd be on the streets."

Senator Chris Dodd, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and a longtime supporter of mental health parity, held a press conference at the Institute of Living in Hartford on Wednesday to celebrate the passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

Senator Chris Dodd met with local Hispanic business owners and community leaders today.  Dodd visited businesses and non-profit organizations along Park Street and discussed how current economic conditions are affecting the Hispanic community in Hartford.