Blog
Feb 22 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced more than $485,000 in grants to fire departments in Edisto Beach, Lake City, Landrum, and Union.
“Firefighters and emergency service personnel dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety of South Carolinians,” said Graham. “These grants will help our local fire departments by providing them the means to obtain the best equipment and training available.”
“South Carolina's firefighters risk their lives to protect our families each day and I'm proud they have been awarded these competitive grants,” said Senator DeMint.
The grants were awarded in one of two program areas:
- Operations and Firefighter Safety Program: The funds may be used for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
- Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Program: The funds may be used for the purchase of firefighting vehicles including pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.
The grants awarded include:
Edisto Beach
Edisto Beach Fire Department will receive a $35,625 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant.
Lake City
Lake City Fire Department will receive a $96,293 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant.
Landrum
Glassy Mountain Fire Department will receive a $117,135 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant.
Union
Philippi Department will receive a $237,500 Vehicle Acquisition Grant.
The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel.
Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year.
The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Feb 20 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made the following statement on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals decision in the al Odah case. The court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to hear lawsuits filed by enemy combatants held at Guantanamo Bay. Last year, Graham played a leading role in the drafting and eventual passage into law of the Military Commissions Act (MCA). The bill contained a provision allowing federal judges to conduct limited reviews of specific procedural matters involving enemy combatant trials, and prohibited civil remedies such as habeas corpus petitions and other actions. Graham said: "I'm pleased the court understood Congress's intent to deny enemy combatant terror suspects the ability to bring lawsuits under the habeas statutes. "The determination of enemy combatant status belongs with the military. Civilian judges are not trained to determine who presents a threat to our nation. That is why Congress has only provided for a limited procedural review of combatant status determination. "Before the MCA was signed into law, enemy combatants were filing frivolous suits requesting better mail delivery, more exercise, judge-supervised interrogation, Internet access, the right to view DVDs and alleging medical malpractice. We made it clear in the MCA that terror suspects could not sue American troops for doing their job. These petitions undermine the ability of military officials at Guantanamo Bay to conduct effective interrogations. "Never in the history of warfare have enemy prisoners been able to bring lawsuits about their detention. Thousands of Germans and Japanese soldiers were captured and held by the military during World War II. Not one case was allowed in federal court where they were allowed to sue for their release. Our rules for the War on Terror should be no different. "Under the Military Commissions Act and the Detainee Treatment Act, the DC Court of Appeals will review the facts and circumstances surrounding enemy combatants' detention. Allowing enemy combatants to file additional lawsuits in civilian courts puts judges in charge of determining detainee status, not the military. "Today's decision was a step in the right direction. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the MCA, and I feel confident the Supreme Court will do the same" ####Feb 17 2007
Graham Votes to Keep Debate Open on Iraq Resolution
Wants Senate to Also Debate Alternative Resolutions
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after the Senate vote to continue debate on a resolution criticizing President Bush's decision to send more troops to Iraq. Sixty votes are required to end debate in the Senate. Graham was one of thirty-four Senators who voted to keep debate open. He also urged the Senate to allow a vote on an alternative resolution introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire) which states that cutting off funding will undermine our troops and the war effort. Graham said: "In a recent address to the troops, General Petraeus said, ' A decisive moment approaches. Shoulder-to-shoulder with our Iraqi comrades, we will conduct a pivotal campaign to improve security for the Iraqi people. The stakes could not be higher.' "It's clear General Petraeus understands and fully appreciates what is on the line in Iraq. The Congress should be reinforcing what he is saying to the troops, not undercutting him. "It was a sad and unusual Saturday session for the U.S. Senate. We were not engaging in real work, but political theater. Many Senators made it clear they feel Iraq is a lost cause and unwinnable situation. If they really believe that then they should vote to cut off funding. "The Iraq resolution is the first step in a policy of retreat which I believe will come back to haunt us for decades in the War on Terror. "The recent debates and actions of the Congress will only embolden our enemy and undermine our efforts to secure victory. General Petraeus and our troops in the field deserve better." #####Feb 16 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced more than $655,000 in grants to fire departments in Abbeville, Easley, Lancaster, Lyman, and Ridge Spring.
“Firefighters and emergency service personnel dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety of South Carolinians,” said Graham. “These grants will help our local fire departments by providing them the means to obtain the best equipment and training available.”
“South Carolina's firefighters risk their lives to protect our families each day and I'm proud they have been awarded these competitive grants,” said Senator DeMint.
The grants were awarded for Operations and Firefighter Safety Programs. Fire departments may use these funds for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
The grants awarded include:
Abbeville
Abbeville County Fire Protection Service District will receive $284,705.
Easley
Dacusville Volunteer Fire Department will receive $47,448.
Lancaster
Gooch’s Crossroad Volunteer Fire Department will receive $55,860.
Lyman
Holly Springs Volunteer Fire District will receive $72,780.
Ridge Spring
Ridge Spring Volunteer Fire Department will receive $194,532.
The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel.
Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year.
The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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