I wanted to share with you my floor statement on President Obama's Decision to Close Guantanamo Bay and other CIA Prisons.

Mr. President, I once again come to the floor to discuss an issue that goes directly to who we are as a country and what we stand for.

Specifically, I want to comment on the executive orders President Obama signed today to close the Guantánamo Bay detention facility within a year, close secret prisons operated by the CIA, and review the procedures for detaining and trying accused terrorists.  In so doing, he sends a long-overdue message not only to the world, but also to the American people here at home, reaffirming our values as Americans and our commitment to the rule of law.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the author of the Restoring the Constitution Act, applauded President Obama’s executive orders to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay within a year, close secret prisons and revise detention and interrogation policies.

“Today, the United States has taken a first step down the long road toward restoring our moral authority, while ensuring our security.  With President Obama’s signatures, we will be more effective in our efforts to prevent, detain, and prosecute those who would harm us.  In addition, today’s orders have reasserted our nation’s commitment and adherence to the rule of law.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that fire departments in several Connecticut towns have been awarded federal grants totaling more than $2 million.  The funds will go to improving operations and safety at their facilities, acquiring new vehicles, and hiring additional personnel. The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which provide aid to first-responder programs nationwide with the aim of improving the equipment and staffing levels in order to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of the first-responders themselves.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that fire departments in Bolton, Ridgefield and Willington have been awarded federal grants totaling more than $57,000.  The Bolton Volunteer Fire Department will receive $24,082, the Ridgefield Fire Department will be awarded $16,020, and the Willington Hill Fire Department will receive $16,982. 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.

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.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today after meeting with the Indian Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon.

“I expressed my shock and sadness about the barbaric attacks in Mumbai to the Indian Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon, and extended my sincere condolences to the people of India and to all those who have lost loved ones.  This tragic attack is a reminder that terrorism does not distinguish race, religion or national origin.  I call upon all nations in the region to work together to root out and dismantle the terrorist networks that continue to cause violence and heartache throughout South Asia, and I reaffirmed to the Foreign Secretary the United States’s commitment to those efforts.”

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Somers Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant totaling $38,000. The funds will go to improving operations and safety at the facility. 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.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Waterbury Fire Department has been awarded federal grants totaling $648,000. The funds will go toward improving operations and safety at the facility and for vehicle acquisition. 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 with the aim of better equipping first-responders 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.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, today performed the swearing-in of members to the National Commission on Children and Disasters.  Dodd was the Senate sponsor of the legislation approved by Congress last year that created the Commission, which is charged with analyzing how the Federal government can better meet the specific needs of children before, during and after disasters.  The bill was endorsed by Save the Children, based in Westport, Connecticut.  Save the Children’s Vice President and Managing Director Mark Shriver is the elected Chairman of the Commission.   

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that October 5-11 will be recognized as “Fire Prevention Week.”  This designation was made possible by last night’s Senate approval of a resolution introduced by Dodd and Collins.