Month: October 2015

Hartley: UConn’s Cyberseed Challenge Offers Practical Solutions to Cybercrime

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Hartley: UConn’s Cyberseed Challenge Offers Practical
Solutions To Cybercrime

UConn’s Comcast Center of Excellence for Security Innovation Hosts 2015 CyberSEED Cybersecurity Challenge

photo of Senator Hartley

STORRS, CT—State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) joined the nation’s top information security professionals and business leaders for a two day cybersecurity conference at the University of Connecticut. The university, which is home to the Comcast Center of Excellence for Security Innovation (CSI), and Comcast, sponsored the second annual Cybersecurity, Education & Diversity Challenge (CyberSEED) conference.

“The CyberSEED conference is a gathering of the nation’s leading cybersecurity experts and the most academically competitive technology students,” said Sen. Hartley. “This conference is but one example of the distinguished works produced by CSI. The partnership between the University of Connecticut’s Engineering Department and Comcast is a one of a kind relationship which has distinguished the State of Connecticut as a leader in the cyber industry sector.”
“We were honored to have Senator Hartley address the more than 350 participants in Cyberseed 2015,” said UConn Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mun Choi. “Her commitment and support to research and education in security innovation has been one of the key reasons for our institutional growth in this burgeoning area. The CyberSEED program is an ideal example of an industry-university-government partnership to train students through experiential learning using practical applications that will make a difference in the marketplace. Because of the interconnectedness of systems, every one of us is more vulnerable than ever before, and the cyber-threats are becoming more profound and growing each day. It’s incumbent upon us to integrate the best minds in academia, industry and government to address these evolving threats.”

The CyberSEED conference brings together top security professionals and scholars along with public and private sector leaders to discuss emerging cybersecurity trends and formulate best strategies for tackling current and future threats. More than 40 teams from universities and colleges across the country competed in cybersecurity challenges for over $100,000 in prizes. The competition addressed critical parts of the computing infrastructure, including computer networks, software and hardware.

Challenges included a capture the flag contest in which teams played the role of hackers trying to penetrate a virtual corporate network and a social engineering battle in which teams exploited social networks to gather key bits of information to launch a spear-phishing attack.

Winfield and Looney: New Haven’s Common Ground Wins State Urban Green and Community Garden Grant

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Winfield and Looney: New Haven’s Common Ground Wins State Urban Green and Community Garden Grant

Common Ground to restore and enhance public access to approximately 2.5 acres of city park land

New Haven, CT—State Senators Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) and Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) have announced that the New Haven Ecology Project—the nonprofit home of Common Ground High School, Urban Farm, and Environmental Education Center—will restore and enhance public access to approximately 2.5 acres of city park land and create a more effective gateway to West Rock Ridge State Park.

“This project will give New Haven residents easier access to the city’s abundance of natural resources,” said Sen. Winfield. “When we expose our community to their natural habitat in a more efficient way and combine that with environmental education, there is a greater sense of appreciation and pride for the city in which we live.”

“Protecting open space and restoring park land in our cities is critical to health and quality of life of our residents,” said Sen. Looney. “Common Ground and the New Haven Ecology Project have a long and successful history of environmental stewardship in the city and their project will help make West Rock Park more accessible to all New Haven residents.”

“Common Ground High School engages young people from throughout the region by providing transformative experiences, challenging them to become leaders in sustainable land use practices and energy consumption, and encouraging students to pursue excellence in all their activities,” said Mayor Toni N. Harp. “This most-welcome state funding will help underwrite projects consistent with another of the school’s primary functions: learning good stewardship of natural resources.”

“Preserving the best of Connecticut’s open space is critical to protecting our land, water, and wildlife and ensuring Connecticut maintains its natural beauty,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “Through these grants, we will increase the availability of open space for our residents to enjoy—whether they live in our state’s beautiful cities, suburbs or rural areas.”

New Haven is one of 17 communities being awarded grants to protect 949 acres of open space. Three other urban communities also received state grants to enhance or develop community gardens or establish a natural habitat for environmental education.

Common Ground will receive $55,000 to create a 1/4 mile handicapped accessible health and environmental exploration trail, making a loop around Common Ground’s market garden, construction of a 20’ x 25’ classroom pavilion, and the restoration of a 1/2 acre wildlife habitat. Model green infrastructure practices will be utilized.

The Urban Green and Community Garden Initiative is available to targeted and/or distressed municipalities. The benefits of this program is not only to open an area up to recreation and environmental education but to improve community health through various actions such as producing various vegetables and fruits and providing much needed green space in more highly developed areas.

Honoring Connecticut’s Heroes: Moore Hosts CT Service Medal Ceremony for Trumbull Veterans

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Honoring Connecticut’s Heroes: Moore Hosts CT Service Medal Ceremony for Trumbull Veterans

photo of Senator Moore with veterans

At today’s Wartime Service Medal ceremony, Senator Moore stops to thank a veteran for his service in the armed forces.

TRUMBULL-State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) and Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly were joined dozens of Trumbull veterans today for a Wartime Service Medal ceremony held at the Trumbull Veterans Hall. The veterans were recognized for their time served in the country’s armed forces.

“The sacrifices of many of these veterans have gone unrecognized for far too long,” said Sen. Moore. “I wanted to meet these brave men and women face-to-face and thank them for fighting for the freedoms we all enjoy today. I would like to thank Commissioner Connolly for standing with me to pay homage to our veterans.”

“Every day I am inspired by our Connecticut Veterans and I am especially fortunate for this role to recognize them for their service and sacrifice,” said Commissioner Connolly.

“I’m proud to be a veteran, it helped make me into a man,” said Korean War veteran Mark Miller. “We have given up many of our freedoms for this country and some people will never understand all that we have sacrificed. This day means a lot to me.”

The Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal was established by the General Assembly in 2005 to honor all Connecticut veterans with qualifying wartime military service. However, most veterans don’t know about this medal. Prior to 2005, Connecticut had not honored its veterans with a wartime service medal since World War I.

Moore and Gomes Host Their First City-Wide Health and Wellness Fair at Housatonic Community College

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Moore & Gomes Host Their First City-Wide Health and Wellness Fair at Housatonic Community College

Bridgeport residents turn out for city-wide health and wellness fair

photo of Senator Moore at health fair

Senator Moore talks with a representative from Access Health CT about the open enrollment process for health insurance.

BRIDGEPORT—State Senators Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport) and Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) today hosted their first city-wide health and wellness fair at Housatonic Community College. Bridgeport residents arrived at the college’s Beacon Hall to learn more about how they can live longer healthier lives.

The day’s participants enjoyed healthy cooking demonstrations given by Bridgeport native Chef Lorri Wilson, free health screenings by Optimus Healthcare, and free flu shots on behalf of Walgreens pharmacy.

“Today’s health and wellness fair was designed to help residents navigate the various ways in which they can achieve a better quality of life,” said Sen. Moore. “We often hear about how important living a healthy lifestyle is for longevity, our goal here was to provide a space where members of the community could talk with their local health professionals, vendors and community organizations about creating a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families.”
“It is vital that community stakeholders provide residents with the resources they need to lead healthy lives,” said Sen. Gomes. “Today, critical health and wellness information was provided to residents of Bridgeport all in one place. I was even able to get my annual flu shot.”

“It’s rare that we see wellness fairs with all these organizations in one place in, I’m glad I came out,” said Brian Johnson, a Bridgeport resident. “Today I was able to have my blood pressure checked and learned that I don’t have to eat less to be healthy.”

Hartley: Fulton Park Warming Hut Brought Back to Life

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Hartley: Fulton Park Warming Hut Brought Back to Life

photo of Senator Hartley

Senator Joan Hartley joins Waterbury elected officials and Fulton Park Conservancy members in a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for Fulton Park’s newly renovated 3,000 square foot warming hut.

WATERBURY—State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) along with Waterbury elected officials and community members today commemorated the completion of Fulton Park’s warming hut with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Nearly $1 million in renovations has been allocated to the warming hut project, transforming it from a storage space to a destination for community events.

Initially built sometime between 1917 and 1922 by the Olmsted brothers firm, the warming hut park served as a hub for skaters who used the park’s pond in the wintertime.

“The renovation of the warming hut is symbolic of this community’s dedication to revitalizing an urban park.” said Sen. Hartley. “This project is only one phase of a continuing initiative to fully restore this historic Olmstead park.”

“Fulton Park has a rich history in Waterbury with generations of residents, parents and children enjoying the many recreational options offered,” said State Representative Jeffrey Berger (D-Waterbury). “The Warming Hut renovation will serve to enhance the park and ensure that it remains the community center it has been for many years into the future. Thank you to the City of Waterbury and the army of community volunteers for their commitment of time and energy in restoring this city gem.”

“The restoration of the Warming Hut at Fulton Park is another step in returning this park, the crown jewel of the Waterbury Parks System, to its original splendor” said Mayor Neil O’Leary. “I can’t say enough about the hard work of Cathy Smith, the Fulton Park Conservancy President and all our stakeholders in this project. I thank our legislative delegation in Hartford, especially Senator Hartley, and all who were involved in this worthwhile project. This building is more beautiful than we could ever have imagined.”

The newly renovated 3,000 square foot warming hut includes new plumbing, heating and electrical systems, insulated interior wood stud and bead board partitions, and a concession area that was made into a kitchen for caterers.

Moore and Gomes Announce Citywide Community Health and Wellness Fair for Bridgeport Residents

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Moore and Gomes Announce Citywide Community Health and Wellness Fair for Bridgeport Residents

State Senators Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) and Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport) are pleased to announce that they will be hosting a Bridgeport community health and wellness fair on Monday, October 19th at Housatonic Community College from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“This health and wellness fair is designed for individuals who desire a better quality of life for themselves and their loved ones,” said Sen. Moore. “We often hear about how important living a healthy lifestyle is for longevity, so on October 19th members of the community will be able to talk with health professionals, vendors and community organizations that will provide vital information to help create a healthier Bridgeport community.”

“It’s important that residents are aware of the community health services available to them so that they can lead healthy lives,” said Sen. Gomes. “The wellness fair serves as a one-stop-shop with various health and wellness resources all under one roof.”

Residents of the Greater Bridgeport area are invited to come and observe healthy cooking demonstrations given by Bridgeport native Chef Lorri Wilson, have free health screenings by Optimus Healthcare, engage in wellness workshops and physical fitness exercises.

WHAT: A community health and wellness fair that will help to bridge the gap between communities and their access to city organizations and healthcare facilities which seek to promote healthy lifestyles

WHEN: Monday, October 19th, 2015; 12:00 PM-3:00PM

WHERE: Housatonic Community College’s Beacon Hall, 900 Lafayette Boulevard, Bridgeport

Winfield: Connecticut Tennis Center Receives Major Upgrades Thanks to State Bonding

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Winfield: Connecticut Tennis Center Receives Major Upgrades Thanks to State Bonding

Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) is pleased to announce that the State Bond Commission has approved funding for renovations and upgrades to the Connecticut Tennis Center.

“Events hosted annually at the Connecticut Tennis Center attract thousands of residents both in and out of state,” said Sen. Winfield. “These grounds have been a part of our city’s history for decades, and it is vital that we continue to advocate for funds to sustain them, thus allowing us to increase tourism in Connecticut.”

“New Haven proudly hosts—and helps underwrite—this tennis tournament each summer and enjoys sharing a spotlight with this major league-level, women’s professional sports event,” said New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp. “We’re grateful for this allocation from the bond commission to help pay for important facility upgrades that in turn will continue to attract top-tier tennis talent.”

“The Connecticut Tennis Center is a fantastic place to host the Connecticut Open, which has grown bigger, better and more prestigious with each and every tournament” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “In fact, attendance for this year’s tournament marked a ten percent increase over last year. These facility upgrades will help ensure that New Haven continues to be the home of a top-notch sports center that attracts world-class athletes and draws more and more visitors to the city, supporting the local community.”

The $300,000 in bond funding will allow the Tennis Center to begin construction projects for a permanent kitchen and additional stadium offices to support tournament needs and incoming organizations year-round.