November 30, 2010 — Today, after 36 services of service to the people and state of Connecticut, Senator Chris Dodd delivered his farewell address on the floor of the United States Senate. Dodd, who will retire at the end of the year, thanked his colleagues, Senate staff, and, most importantly, the people of Connecticut for giving him the distinct honor of representing them in the U.S. Congress for over three decades.

In his remarks, Dodd spoke of the important role the Senate plays in our democracy and urged his colleagues to protect the Senate’s unique role in our national debate and find the shared goals and common purpose to advance the interests of our country.

“Over the past two centuries, some 1900 men and women have shared the privilege of serving in the Senate. Each of us has been granted a temporary, fleeting moment in which to indulge either our political ambition and ideological agenda, or, alternatively, to rise to the challenge and make a constructive mark on our history.

“My moment is now at an end, but to those whose moments are not yet over, and to those whose moments will soon begin, I wish you so much more than mere good fortune. I wish you wisdom. I wish you courage. And I wish for each of you that, one day, when you reflect on your moment, you will know that you have lived up to the tremendous honor and daunting responsibility of being a United States Senator.”

Below are links to a comprehensive timeline, a summary of Senator Dodd’s career in public service, and the Senator’s remarks as prepared for delivery.

November 18, 2010 — Today, during the fourth and final hearing on the State of the American Child, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) called for the creation of a National Council on Children, which will focus on improving the well-being of our nation’s children. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) will join Dodd in introducing legislation to establish a council that will be responsible for annually assessing the state of American children's health, education, and overall well-being, and will be tasked with making recommendations to Congress on how to improve the policies that impact our children's lives.

November 17, 2010 – Senators John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Robert Casey (D-Pa.) today introduced legislation to protect approximately 12 million seniors and individuals with disabilities who are scheduled to pay increased Medicare premiums next year.  

“We have a responsibility to protect all Medicare beneficiaries from unfair premium increases,” Sen. Kerry said. “Every penny counts right now, and twelve million seniors and individuals with disabilities are depending on us to restore fairness to the Medicare system. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to pass this legislation before the end of the year.”

November 17, 2010 — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate failed to take action on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would guarantee equal pay for equal work regardless of gender.

“This is a sad day for women’s equality and a giant step backward in the fight for equal rights for all. It is deplorable and unconscionable that in 2010, women are not earning the same as men for performing the same work. It’s disappointing that politics still stand in the way of this important legislation to correct a grave inequality in our society. Those who cast a ‘no’ vote today, cast a vote that will ensure discrimination against our mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives will continue in the workplace.

November 11, 2010 - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today in recognition of Veterans Day and the tremendous sacrifice that military veterans in Connecticut and across America have made for their country.

“Today, we recognize all those who have served in our nation’s armed forces and we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have made it possible for us to live in peace, freedom, and security. And we never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

November 8, 2010 — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, released the following statement marking the holiday of Diwali.

“Today I extend my best wishes to the Indian-American community who are celebrating Diwali, a festival of light and spiritual rejuvenation. During this festive day, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists will celebrate the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness - messages that strengthen our communities. This joyous holiday is not only a time to celebrate India’s rich history and culture but also a time to recognize the important contributions Indian-Americans have made to American society.

November 3, 2010 - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today issued the following statement on the election of Richard Blumenthal to the United States Senate:

“I congratulate Attorney General Blumenthal on his election.  Having known Dick for over 30 years, I have no doubts that he will be an excellent United States Senator and will represent the people and interests of Connecticut with the same vigor and passion that we have seen from him as our Attorney General.”

Small Business Administration opens disaster centers in Bridgeport and Stratford to help affected residents

October 22, 2010 — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) urges residents who were affected by the severe weather and tornado that hit Fairfield and adjacent counties in June to apply for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help repair their homes and businesses. These loans come after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied the state’s original request and appeal for disaster relief aid. Residents affected by the storm may also visit SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Bridgeport and Stratford that will provide individual assistance to homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations affected by the storm.

“June’s severe storms and tornado caused millions of dollars in damages to Fairfield County homes and businesses,” said Dodd. “I strongly urge Connecticut residents to take advantage of available loans from the Small Business Administration, which will help them offset the costs of repairing their homes and businesses so that they can finally recover from the storm and get back on their feet.”

Homeowners, businesses, and non-profit organizations in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties can apply for SBA loans for the repair or replacement of damaged real estate or personal property, business equipment and inventory, and to help cover business operating costs. Renters are eligible to get loans to replace damaged personal property. Additionally, the loans can be used to replace storm-damaged automobiles.

The deadline for applying for loans to cover physical damage is December 17; the deadline to return applications for loans to cover economic injury is July 18, 2011.

Residents looking for more information on the loans should contact the SBA by telephone (800-659-2955), e-mail (disastercustomerservice@sba.gov), or online (www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance). Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.  

SBA Disaster Loan Center locations and hours of operation are as follows:

STRATFORD COUNTY read more ( published in: Connecticut Communities | Fairfield County | Media Center | Press Releases and Statements | Transportation and Infrastructure ) 10/15/10: Connecticut Delegation Announces Major Funding to Revitalize Connecticut Event in Bridgeport highlights two major grants to support jobs, economic growth in Connecticut October 15, 2010 — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) announced two major federal grants to support livable and sustainable communities in Bridgeport.   Along with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary Peter Kovar, the delegation announced that the Bridgeport-Steel Point Project will receive $11 million in Transportation Investment Generation Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funding through the Department of Transportation for the construction and modernization of roadways around the Steel Point Peninsula, which will create pedestrian and bike-friendly streets that connect neighborhoods to public transit, help open the Steel Point waterfront to the public, and support commercial and residential development. read more ( published in: Connecticut Communities | Fairfield County | Media Center | Press Releases and Statements | Transportation and Infrastructure ) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... next page last page