CARDIN WELCOMES PRESIDENT OBAMA TO MARYLAND, ECHOES HIS CALL FOR ACTION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Cardin (D-MD) joined President Barack Obama today for his rally with students at the University of Maryland at College Park to promote passage of health care reform legislation.   President Obama highlighted that The University of Maryland is unique among schools nationwide, because it was the first to require that all new freshmen have health insurance.   "Inaction is not an option for hea… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $25,000 GRANT FOR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators and Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) announced today that the Associated Builders & Contractors Cumberland Valley Chapter (ABC CVC) has been awarded a $25,000 grant to expand its MERIT High School-Age Program. MERIT is an apprenticeship program designed to bring more students into the skilled construction trades.   This grant will enable a total of 20 students to complete the 2009-2010 High School-Age Pro… Continue Reading

CARDIN WELCOMES OBAMA ADMINISRATION'S ACTION TO INCREASE NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Clean Air Subcommittee, today praised President Obama, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator for the actions announced today to reduce America's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.   "Marylanders and all Americans have a right to … Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS GOVERNMENT MUST REBUILD THE NATION'S HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE SO DOCTORS AND NURSES CAN BETTER HELP PATIENTS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today met with doctors, nurses and hospital administrators at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, MD, to solicit their advice on health care reform efforts and to discuss specific proposals being considered by Congress.   Hospital personnel also briefed Senator Cardin on their ongoing collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to medical and scientific research and the stat… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN JOINS EPA AND NFWF IN ANNOUNCING $1.3 MILLION IN GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE BAY'S WATERSHED

ANNAPOLIS - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today joined the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in announcing $1,362,620 million in grants for 15 Maryland projects to help protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.   "Federal funding for projects like these will help protect and restore critical aquatic ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay," said Senator Cardin, chairman of the Environment and Public Work… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, KRATOVIL ANNOUNCE ALMOST $1.2 MILLION NEW FEDERAL FUNDING FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES AT TUBMAN STATE PARK

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) and U.S. Congressman Frank Kratovil (MD-1) today announced a grant of $1,191,312 from the National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund to develop outdoor recreation facilities in the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park.   The State is anticipating that it will begin site development in December 2010, with completion expected approximately a year later.   … Continue Reading

CARDIN, COLLINS INTRODUCE ETHANOL FUEL BLENDS LEGISLATION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced legislation designed to ensure that new gasoline fuel mixtures introduced into the marketplace are compatible with gasoline-fueled engines already in widespread use.    The legislation comes as a result of the difficulties experienced by users following the initial introduction of blends of gasoline with higher … Continue Reading

PATRIOT DAY 2009

Most of us still remember where we were eight years ago as we heard the incoming news from New York, the Pentagon, and a field in southwest Pennsylvania. The images and the sounds will stay with us forever. Today, in memory of the innocent men, women and children who lost their lives that day, September 11, 2001, and the patriotism of those who sacrificed everything to save countless others from harm, we pause to reflect and honor their memory. On that day, we lost more than 3,000 souls for whom… Continue Reading

SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FUNDING TO HELP DOCUMENT ACID MINE DRAINAGE PROBLEM IN GARRETT COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that Garrett County has been awarded a $20,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to commission a study to document the economic benefits of the acid mine drainage remediation program.   Acid mine drainage occurs when mineral deposits that contain sulfides are uncovered during the mining process.   The contaminated water enters streams and rivers, often ki… Continue Reading

CARDIN VISITS GOODWILL INDUSTRIES TO VIEW PROGRAM TO HELP PRISONERS RE-ENTER SOCIETY

FREDERICK, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today visited Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc. in Frederick for a tour of its program that provides re-entry services to prisoners.   The Senator, who is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has supported legislation to provide counseling and job training to prisoners who are close to release as a way to reduce recidivism.   "The Department of Justice has found that approximately two-thirds o… Continue Reading

CARDIN APPLAUDS EPA EXTENDED REVIEW OF MOUNTAINTOP COAL MINING PERMITS

Washington, DC - U .S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has identified 79 proposed surface coal-mining projects in Appalachian states for further, detailed reviews of their pending permits.   The extended reviews will be carried out under an enhanced coordination process between EPA and the Army… Continue Reading

CARDIN EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR U.S. DRAWDOWN, CONCERN OVER IRAQ-SYRIA RIFT

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in response to today's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Iraq featuring U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill: "I'm pleased with the performance of U.S. forces as our drawdown efforts continue.  In his testimony, Ambassador Hill notes huge gains in Iraqi forces' capabilities and cohesion.  … Continue Reading

CARDIN LAUDS THE PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR ACTION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM, REITERATES SUPPORT FOR A PUBLIC OPTION

"I applaud the President for directly confronting one of the most pressing issues facing our country today - the skyrocketing cost of health care.   The need for health reform is very real, as each day 14,000 Americans lose their health insurance.  Throughout the summer, at town hall meetings and other events across our state, I have met face-to-face with many Marylanders who have struggled to afford their current health coverage or have been denied access by insurers. The Preside… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, KRATOVIL ANNOUNCE ACQUISITION OF 823 ACRES FOR BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) and U.S. Congressman Frank Kratovil (MD-1) today announced that the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge will acquire 823 acres as part of a grants program under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 (NAWCA).   The new acreage will help preserve marsh, shoreline, wooded swamp and forested upland habitat for migratory waterfowl. The refuge serves as an important resting and… Continue Reading

CARDIN ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF DRAFT CHESAPEAKE BAY REAUTHORIZATION, INCLUDING NEW FUNDING FOR STATES AND NEW ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee that has jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Chesapeake Bay Program, today released details of the Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Restoration Act of 2009. The Cardin-authored reauthorization gives state and local governments of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Area strong new enforcement tools and more than $1.5 billion in new grant authority to re… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR TOWN OF ACCIDENT

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Town of Accident in Garrett County has been awarded a $32,140 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to purchase a town dump truck and snow plow.     "The new dump truck and snow plow will replace a truck that is no longer in service due to safety concerns," Senator Cardin said. "This federal grant will help provide the needed e… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR SHARED OPPORTUNITY SERVICE

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that Shared Opportunity Service in Chestertown has been awarded an $8,656 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to purchase safety and education playground equipment for the family support center it operates in Chestertown, MD.   Shared Opportunity Service, Inc. (SOS) is the non-profit 501(c)(3). The agency was established in 1996 as a result of… Continue Reading

SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $50K FOR CAROLINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that Caroline County Historical Society has been awarded a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to help preserve five small, one room historic buildings.    Once restored, the buildings will serve as tourist information stops at various locations throughout Caroline County.     "Caroline County has a rich history and culture and… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $70,000 FOR ALLEGANY COLLEGE TO ESTABLISH HVAC TRAINING PROGRAM

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that Allegany College has been awarded a $70,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to assist in establishing a HVAC Apprenticeship Training Program to teach students specific skills that will allow them to pursue careers in the heating ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industries.   The HVAC Apprenticeship Training Program te… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULKSI ANNOUNCE $272,500 IN ENERGY CONSERVATION GRANTS FOR LAUREL, HAGERSTOWN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.), today announced $272,500 in grants have been awarded to Maryland through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG).    The city of Hagerstown has been awarded $179,500 and the city of Laurel has been awarded $93,000 in this round of grants.  Funding for the EECBG program was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment … Continue Reading