Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today congratulated Wallingford resident and Choate Rosemary Hall senior Aditya Rajogopalan for being named one of 40 finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search 2009 competition, a program of the Society for the Science and the Public.  Aditya’s research project focused on Modeling Synergistic Cellulolytic-Hemicellulolytic Enzyme Complexes for Lignocellulosic Hydrolysis.

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) today announced the Senate’s passage of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009.  The legislation includes four key bills that will designate two new trails and allow for expanded activities at two national parks.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chris Dodd hopes to bring the nation's next health care czar to Connecticut later this month as Democrats look to improve access and affordability to a system they have long sought to reform.

Dodd said Wednesday that former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has agreed, if scheduling permits, to join him on a "listening tour" in Connecticut to hear what the state's insurance, businesses and health care leaders as well as ordinary citizens may recommend.

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) released the following statement today on reports that DriveSol of Watertown, an auto industry supplier that manufactures steering column shafts and employees over 200 people, will be forced to close due to the struggles of the American auto-industry.
 
Last week, Senator Dodd spent weeks negotiating bipartisan legislation with the White House to help stabilize our domestic automobile industry, only to have the legislation blocked by a handful of Republican Senators.
 
“This is sad news for these workers and for Connecticut, but unfortunately it is not surprising. The news of DriveSol’s closing is proof that this is not a Detroit issue or a Washington issue; it is an American issue that will have an impact in Connecticut and across the country.

“In recent weeks, I have talked with local auto dealers and suppliers from our state, union officials and others, and I share their concern that doing nothing will only result in more bad news similar to what we learned today about DriveSol. It’s disappointing that our bipartisan legislation was blocked by a handful of Senators. If that had not occurred these jobs may have been spared. The White House must take action now and use their authority to stabilize the industry and therefore our economy.”

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. 

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.

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.