Connecticut is full of everyday heroes, but all too often, their work goes uncelebrated.  That’s why I’m always happy to read stories like this one. Eileen has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to rescuing and rehabilitating retired greyhounds.  Thanks to her, thousands of dogs have found new loving homes among Connecticut families, enriching the lives of both the greyhounds and their new owners.  I am so glad Animal Planet has highlighted her work by selecting her as their 2008 Hero of the Year.

Just wanted to take a minute and share with you a great post on Connecticut Local Politics:

• For the full post, click here.

EAST HARTFORD — Sen. Chris Dodd, accompanied by Rep. John Larson and a panel of health care experts, held a town-hall style forum today at Goodwin College’s beautiful new riverside campus in East Hartford. The forum was the first of several planned events on Dodd’s health care "listening tour," which is an attempt to gauge public opinion and need before Congress and the administration undertake a major health care initiative.

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.

On the eve of the Inauguration, Representative Jim Himes and myself had the privilege of meeting with members of the Trumbull High School Marching Band. We wished them luck and congratulated them for receiving the honor of representing Connecticut in the Inaugural Parade.

For photos from my meeting, visit my flickr page.

My family and I spent our morning assembling care packages for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan who put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms. I would like to thank Serve DC and Operation Gratitude for providing us with one way to give back.

Please Take a look at my flickr page for a few photos from the event.

For me, Monday is a day on—not a day off—to serve my country.  I remember standing as a boy, watching President Kennedy’s inauguration many years ago.  I remember being inspired as he asked his fellow citizens to serve their country, to give back to the country that has given us so much.  Those words have stayed with me throughout my career.  Whether it was during my time in the Peace Corps, building libraries in the Dominican Republic, or my time in Congress, working to expand service opportunities, I have strived to serve my country in all endeavors.

I wanted to take a minute and share with you my schedule for the next few days. I hope you will join me in celebrating the inauguration of our next president, Barack Obama.

On Monday morning I will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by participating in the "King Day of Service." I will join "Serve DC" at RFK Stadium to assemble packages for American Troops serving overseas.

I would like to congratulate Stanley Israelite on receiving the "Service Above Self Award" from the Norwich Rotary. I was once privileged enough to have Stanley as my original district director when I was in the House of representatives and my first state director as a U.S. Senator. His dedication to the people of Norwich and Connecticut was as strong then as it is now. He has spent a lifetime devoted to a city that he has called home since he was a boy.

Today I met with a group of UCONN students who are down in Washington on a service project during their winter break.  Our discussion covered a wide variety of topics – from the rising cost of college tuition to the stimulus package.  I’m very glad I had the chance to hear from these young women and hope they’ll stay involved in politics long after they graduate.

I would like to take a minute and wish all the luck to Anthony Mullen of Greenwich, a special education teacher at ARCH School. Mr. Mullen, having already been awarded Connecticut’s teacher of the year, is one of four finalists for national teacher of the year. In a profession that is all too often taken for granted, it’s nice to see such a dedicated educator get the recognition he so strongly deserves.