“We’ve officially crossed the finish line. And Sub Base New London, the people of our state, and our nation’s security are the clear winners. There are many people who made this day a reality, but most importantly, it was the people of our state who never gave up, never stopped fighting, and who believed in this base and its mission. Obviously we still have work to do on our state’s Air National Guard, and that is a fight we’ll continue to wage. We’ll also need to continue to fight for every single dollar for submarines and this base to ensure that this base, and our nation’s defense capabilities, are protected.”

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Mr. President, this is old business in the sense of what I am bringing up was a matter considered a little over a year ago on similar legislation. I regret that I have to come back again this year. My colleagues voted unanimously a year ago to adopt this amendment or an amendment very much like it. The other body as well agreed to this amendment during conference between the two bodies. It became the law of the land.

Providing for our Troops and Protecting CT Jobs: Senator Dodd visited the Bridgeport-based manufacturer Fermont where he announced plans for an additional $4.4 million in orders that will support Connecticut jobs and provide critical equipment for our troops serving overseas. Fermont manufactures generators used to power large military camp sites, medical units, and communication centers deployed in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Celebrating the Sub Force: Team Connecticut held a rally to celebrate the U.S. Navy, U.S. Submarine Force, and Sub Base New London’s presence in Southeastern Connecticut. Calling it a "national treasure," supporters celebrated their successful effort to remove the base from the Pentagon's closure list. "Sub Base New London was on life support earlier this year but thankfully, through a lot of ha

Today's rally celebrated the BRAC commission’s vote to keep Sub Base New London open. This was important because it allows for our submarine technologies to remain a part of the structures of our national defense. This vote was really in my view a battle within the navy between the surface ships and the submariners.

When you have 400 submarines plowing the ocean of the world and more than half of them are being operated by countries that are not necessarily our allies, in fact a lot of them are quite the opposite, it seems important that we be able to respond to that technological threat. Submarines are a stealth technology; they’re what America’s going to need as part of our 21st century national defense.

“Chairman Principi and the BRAC Commission today stood up for America’s national security needs and reversed the Pentagon’s senseless proposal to close Submarine Base New London. With their vote today, the Commission recognized how critically important this installation and the United States submarine fleet are to meeting the military challenges of the 21st century.

As the Commission’s decision showed, our case was rock solid, based on the true military value and cost assessments of Naval Submarine Base New London. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the nine BRAC Commissioners and their staff for their truly exhaustive and independent analysis.

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U.S. Sens. Christopher J. Dodd and Joseph I. Lieberman, both D-Conn., and U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District tour the Navy Child Development Center near the submarine base at Groton, which provides child care to more than 200 Navy dependents. Facilities like the center enhance the quality of life Groton; an important consideration given the Navy philosophy that you recruit sailors, but retain f