Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) today heralded the announcement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that $1.2 million in Recovery Act funds will be granted to the cities of New Haven and Stratford under the Port Security Grant Program. The City of New Haven will receive $1.1 million, and Stratford $100,000, to improve and maintain their port security operations.

“These timely grants by FEMA serve an important dual function,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Not only will they help New Haven and Stratford make ends meet in these tough economic times, but they will further the public safety of state residents – and our national security as a whole – by increasing the security of our Connecticut ports.”

“We are pleased to receive this financial support to increase surveillance and safety in our port area,” said Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. of New Haven. “This funding will put the mechanisms in place to better protect our port area and our residents. We appreciate Congresswoman DeLauro’s work to bring this funding to New Haven. Working together we will continue to improve New Haven as the innovative and welcoming City that it is.”

“On behalf of the Town of Stratford, I want to thank Congresswoman DeLauro for her efforts in obtaining this grant,” said Mayor James Miron of Stratford. “These funds will help ensure that we enhance our Marine Patrol’s public safety efforts. I am committed to continuing to work with Rosa DeLauro to identify and procure needed grant funds to benefit our community and the region. These grants allow the Town to provide certain services in areas that, given the rough economic times, we might not be able to otherwise afford.”