STATEMENT OF SENATOR BENJAMIN L. CARDIN (D-MD)COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

I rise today to commemorate the 40 th Anniversary of the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.   April 4, 2008 marks the 40 th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an iconic leader of the American civil rights movement.   In death, the legacy of Dr. King continues and so does his call for tolerance, justice and equality.   April 1968 was a tragic time for the King family and for our nation.   Our cities erupted as people were overco… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, ANNOUNCE $546,000 FOR WESTERN MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a total of $546,000 in three grants for Western Maryland projects.     "The Appalachian Regional Commission is a great example of federal investment that works on a state and local level for the people of Maryland.   These much-needed funds will create jobs, improve our health and keep our students on the cuttin… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE YEAR'S FIRST STAFFING AWARD FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $324,064 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).  The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant they received was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help them increase the n… Continue Reading

CARDIN, CLINTON, SCHUMER URGE SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS TO COMBAT ACID RAIN

Washington, DC - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and  Charles Schumer (D-NY) today called on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies to continue their support for three programs that play a critical role in monitoring the progress of our nation's fight against the effects of acid rain. In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, the lawmakers stressed the need to provide fundi… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, HOYER ANNOUNCE $20,000 IN NEW FUNDS FOR PISCATAWAY PARK, CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND WATER TRAILS NETWORK

WASHINGTON -- Senators Barbara Mikulski, Benjamin L. Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer today announced the award of a $20,000 federal grant to Piscataway National Park in Accokeek, MD as part of the National Park Service's Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network. The funds, awarded by the National Park Service, will be used to produce a Native American Interpretative Brochure detailing the ancestral Piscataway presence at Accokeek, the effects of the Colonial period … Continue Reading

SENATORS CARDIN AND MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $53,000 IN FUNDING FOR BAY GATEWAYS PROGRAM

WASHINGTON - U .S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara Mikulski (both D-MD) joined with U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-3) today in announcing more than $53,000 in National Park Service funding for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.     The funding includes $18,600 for the Annapolis Maritime Museum, which will be used to install interpretive panels entitled "From This Spot You Can See Over Four Hundred Years of History" along the… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ANNOUNCES $400,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO ESTABLISH PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY AFRICA TRADE OFFICE

UPPER MARLBORO -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today joined Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson, county officials and business leaders to announce $400,000 in federal funding to establish a Prince George's County Africa Trade Office.     The Africa Trade Office will partner with Small Business Administration and Prince George's County to help facilitate business between African companies and small businesses in Prince George's County seeking… Continue Reading

CARDIN AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BUDGET RESOLUTION PRIORITIZE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

WASHINGTON - Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), lauded Senate approval of three amendments he authored or co-sponsored that will protect the health and safety of American families and especially children. Senator Cardin authored an amendment that increases funding to monitor the safety of drinking water nationwide. He co-sponsored an amendment by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) that expands funding for the Maryland-based National Institutes for Health (NIH) and the Low Inco… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ANNOUNCES PROPOSED TAX CREDIT PLAN TO STIMULATE HOUSING MARKET, TOUTS PROPOSALS TO HELP CURRENT HOMEOWNERS

Baltimore, MD - U.S. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today joined with local representatives from Healthy Neighborhoods, St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center, the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors, and Belair Edison Neighborhoods, Inc. and the Maryland Housing Coalition Task Force to announce a new major proposal to stimulate the housing market by promoting first-time purchases and to promote pending legislation designed to help current homeowners in crisis.   "Our economy is on s… Continue Reading

CARDIN RESPONSE TO PASSAGE OF SENATE BUDGET RESOLUTION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today praised the Budget Resolution passed by the Senate today. He made the following statement: "These are tough times for American families. People across Maryland and in every state are hurting. The Budget Resolution we passed today is a blueprint for strengthening our economy and investing in America. It defines our key spending priorities for t… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $4.14 MILLION FOR MARLYAND COMMUNITY COLLEGES

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that two Maryland community colleges have been awarded a total of nearly $4.14 million in competitive Community Based Job Training Grants through the U.S. Department of Labor. "Investment in education is one of the best ways to bolster our economy and provide solid, high-paying jobs for our citizens," said Senator Cardin. "I am extremely pleased that Prince George's Community College and th… Continue Reading

STATEMENT ON THE FY2009 BUDGET RESOLUTION

Our budget resolution focuses on job growth here in America. It invests in the people of this country so that we can compete internationally and keep jobs here in America. Our budget really helps the people of our country.   This budget resolution is really our blueprint. It's what we believe are the priorities of America - what we need to move this nation forward. We can judge how important this resolution is based on what happened last year. I heard a lot of comments about las… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, CUMMINGS INTRODUCE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HARRIET ROSS TUBMAN

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), and Representative Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7), have introduced a concurrent resolution in the Senate and the House of Representatives to support the goals and ideals of a national day of remembrance for Harriet Ross Tubman, one of the great "conductors" of the Underground Railroad.  Her life as a former slave, abolitionist, humanitarian, Union spy, and daughter of Maryland helped hundreds of slave… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS SAFETY ACT

Washington, DC - The Senate today passed the Consumer Product Safety Commission Act , including two amendments sponsored by U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD). This important legislation will expand the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) ability to keeping all Americans safe from toxic and dangerous products. "Playing with a favorite toy should not be hazardous to a child's life.  It is essential that Congress and every parent an… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $1.7 MILLION FOR SUPPORT SERVICES FOR MARYLAND PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS, SENIORS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that four Maryland recipients have been awarded a total of more than $1.7 million in grants for support services for residents of public housing and seniors through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Senator Mikulski is on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee that funds HUD.  Senator Cardin is on the Budget Committee. … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN CALLS FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN MASS TRANSIT A NATIONAL PRIORITY

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today commended the U.S. PIRG Education Fund for its thorough examination of modern public transportation mass transit and its impact on our nation's economy and the environment. "This report reinforces my belief that federal investment in public transportation should be a national priority, said Senator Cardin. "Our nation receives extraordinary public benefit from mass tra… Continue Reading

KOSOVO: THE BALKAN'S MOMENT OF TRUTH?

Slightly more than one week ago, I was in Vienna for a meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.   Kosovo was a topic for the debate which took place the day after the protesters in Belgrade attacked the U.S. Embassy.  I essentially supported the U.S. position on Kosovo's declaration of independence and international recognition.  The U.S. delegation, which included four House Members in addition to myself, sought to engage our Serbian counterparts, but they declined an opportunity to exchange… Continue Reading

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

We honor the contributions of women in our society throughout March during Women's History Month.  Started in 1978 as a weeklong celebration coinciding with International Women's Day, it has grown over the last 30 years to spotlight the great accomplishments of women past and present, as well as the growing opportunities for young girls. Maryland's history is rich with pioneering, bold women who have made our state and our nation a better place. We are proud of our Free State daughters, i… Continue Reading

CONGRESS MUST PROTECT THE 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS INITIATIVE

Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative, the only federal funding source dedicated to supporting successful afterschool programs around the country.  This program is critical to our children's and our economy's success. For many American families, it is necessary for both parents to work outside the home, and these families face true challenges in finding affordable child care services.    This is a problem n… Continue Reading

CARDIN CRITICIZES SENATE FOR FAILURE TO CONSIDER BILL THAT WOULD HELP MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES FACING FORECLOSURE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today expressed disappointment that Republicans prevented the Senate from considering legislation to help middle-class American families and homeowners who are struggling to keep their homes.  It has been estimated that more than 2.2 million Americans who took out subprime mortgages between 1998 and 2006 are in jeopardy of losing their homes during the next two to three years.  The National Realtors Association reported this week that homes … Continue Reading