WASHINGTON, D. C. - Congressman Chris Murphy released the following statement after President Obama's State of the Union address to Congress Tuesday night.

"President Obama came into the House chamber tonight, saw Republicans and Democrats sitting side by side, and chose to play the role of a uniter. In order to win the future, we've got to be hungry for the next great ideas to put people to work. Connecticut workers are leading the way when it comes to innovation, in fuel cell technology and defense innovation."

Murphy said that to make economic progress here we've got to stop sending jobs overseas. He said the best way to do that is close loopholes in our Buy American Laws.

"I would have liked to have heard the President talk more about how to promote American manufacturing in ways other than trade agreements," Murphy said.

"I'm pleasantly surprised that President Obama dedicated so much of his speech to education. The achievement gap in Connecticut's schools is the largest in the nation, and it is crippling our future economic growth - fixing it will be part of the cure our economy so desperately needs."

Congressman John Larson expressed similar statements in his statement released following the State of the Union Address.

"President Obama has called on Congress and our nation to move forward an agenda centered on out-educating, out-building, and out-performing the rest of the world. He said 'this is our time' and I couldn't agree more. We must build upon our successes and prepare our nation for a stronger foundation," said Larson. "It is time for us to create jobs and grow our economy here at home. It's time for us to work together so our concerns are that of the ironworker in East Hartford, the teacher in Bristol, and the small business owner in Torrington."

HARTFORD - Governor Dannel P. Malloy will activate the Emergency Operation Center to prepare for more snow predicted to hit the state late this afternoon and into the overnight hours. The Emergency Operation Center will open at 4 p.m. at the State Armory and will remain open throughout the storm, expected to last into Thursday.

"I was on call this morning with Connecticut's emergency responders and transportation officials to ensure we are prepared for the weather headed our way," said Governor Malloy. "The answer is: we are. No matter how frequently we've been through this, we want to be certain that we are ready, and citizens know what they need to do to stay safe and secure. I'm urging residents to heed any municipal parking orders, clear snow away from fire hydrants and on top of their roofs, and to take it slow while driving."

People with concerns about their roof loads should contact their local building official, or in case of emergency their fire department.

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) introduced legislation today to protect the coastal plains region of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas exploration and drilling.

The bill will designate 1.5 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Once designated as wilderness the land becomes subject to specific management restrictions: human activities are restricted to non-motorized recreation, scientific research, and other non-invasive activities.

"I have long believed that we have a responsibility to future generations to preserve the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and I have fought to protect it for as long as I have been in the Senate," Lieberman said. "The fact is, we do not have to choose between conservation and exploration when it comes to our energy future; we can do both simultaneously while moving toward a sustainable and diverse national energy policy."

The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Bernard Sanders (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Mark Udal (D-CO), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Kerry (D-MA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Today marks the twelfth time since 1989 that Senator Lieberman has introduced or been a co-sponsor of legislation to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.