Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today heard testimony from Dr. Henry Backe Jr., an orthopedic surgeon from Fairfield, Connecticut, at the Committee’s hearing to examine the Madoff Investment Securities fraud.  Senator Dodd invited Dr. Backe to testify after hearing that his medical practice, which employs over 100 people, invested all of its retirement plan assets with Madoff in 1992, and has suffered devastating losses since the news broke that all investments with Madoff were a sham. 

Several members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation condemned today’s announcement by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) of a new tariff that could force Connecticut-based Nestle Waters North America to lay off 100 workers.  Nestle Waters is the largest American importer of Italian mineral water, which would be affected by the new tariff.  Today’s announcement ignores President Obama’s directive that all pending regulations be halted until his Administration can conduct a full legal and policy review of each matter. 

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.

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.

My congratulations go out to Marc Mellon, a resident of Redding, CT, for being chosen to sculpt the front side of the official Presidential Inaugural medallion. Along with the Trumbull Marching band who is set to perform in the Inaugural parade, it’s nice to see Connecticut residents playing such significant roles in this historic event.

From the Danbury New-Times:

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 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.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) congratulated the Trumbull High School Golden Eagle Marching band on being chosen to represent the State of Connecticut in the 56^th Inaugural Parade in January. Trumbull High School was chosen from more than 1300 organizations who submitted application to participate in the parade.