September 25, 2006 Contact: Leslie Phillips (202) 224-2627 DODD, LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE PORT, TRANSIT SECURITY GRANTS FOR CONNECTICUT   Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) announced today that Connecticut will receive port, rail, and transit security grant funding from the Infrastructure Protection Program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Bridgeport will receive $24,968 and New London $637,500 in port security grants. New Haven will share $53,800,000 in transportation security grant funding with three other Tri-State area cities. The State of Connecticut will also receive $189,000 in buffer zone protection funds. “Law enforcement officials in Connecticut are working around the clock to keep their citizens safe,” said Dodd. “In addition to our gratitude and respect, they deserve the resources required to secure our state and the surrounding areas. These critically important efforts should not be shortchanged, and I intend to continue to fight to ensure that even more resources are provided.” “Given our proximity to New York City and our long stretch of coastline, Connecticut commuters and our maritime activities are vulnerable targets for terrorists. While these grants come late – just a week before the end of the Department of Homeland Security’s 2006 fiscal year – they are a welcome addition to state and local efforts to improve the security of the people of Connecticut,” Lieberman said. The funding for Bridgeport and New London is intended to help secure the nation’s critical infrastructure. New Haven is included as part of the greater metropolitan New York area for transit security grants, which are provided to improve security on intracity rail, bus and ferry services. The New York metropolitan area includes New York City, Jersey City, Newark, and New Haven. The buffer zone protection program funds will go toward preventing terrorist surveillance and attacks by improving security around sites that have been identified as “high priority critical infrastructure targets.” DHS has kept the specific locations within Connecticut classified. DHS also announced that it was providing $7.2 million to Amtrak to improve intercity rail security.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 September 2006 Press Releases   September 29 - Lieberman Condemns Lack of Funding for Transit Security for Transit Security as Significant Port Security Bill Moves Forward   September 29 - FEMA Reinvention Clears Congress   September 27 - Lieberman, Smith Propose Benefits for Domestic Partners   September 27 - DHS Lacks Adequate Controls for Interagency Contracting   September 25 current Press Release   September 22 - Lieberman Calls Chemical Security Agreement Far From Complete   September 21 - Lieberman Regrets Loss of "Historic Opportunity" for Bipartisan Immigration Refrom   September 19 - Senate Homeland Security Committee Hearing Examines Terrorist Recruitment in U.S. Prisons   September 19 - Lieberman Hails Report on Threat of Homegrown Terror in Prisons   September 18 - House-Senate Negotiators Reach Agreement on Collins-Lieberman FEMA, Hurricane Katrina Legislation   September 15 - Lieberman Flags Connecticut Benefits in Port Security Bill   September 15 - Lieberman Sets Future Priorities for Homeland Security   September 13 - Lieberman Hails Rail, Transit Security Improvements   September 12 - Senator Lieberman Urges Passage of Port Security Bill   September 12 - Homeland Security: The Next Five Years   September 11 - Lieberman Calls for Leadership on Post 9/11 Security   September 11 - Senators Collins, Lieberman and Durbin Call for Long-Overdue Implementation Plan for the Information Sharing Environment   September 8 - Senate Approves Bill to Bring More Transparency to Federal Spending   September 6 - Collins, Lieberman Highlight National Preparedness Month
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510