Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Palmetto Health Alliance in Columbia will receive a $1,175,000 Healthy Start Initiative grant. The funds will be used to help eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in perinatal health. The Healthy Start Initiative serves minority and low-income women in an effort to reduce infant mortality rates. The grant was awarded by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said he was very pleased the U.S. Senate today confirmed three more judicial nominees from President Bush -- William Pryor, David McKeague, and Richard Griffin -- to positions on the federal bench. Five Bush nominees to federal appeals courts have been confirmed by the Senate in slightly more than two weeks. They include Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen, and the three judges confirmed today. The confirmations are lifetime appointments. “This has been a banner week for President Bush, the U.S. Senate, and the federal judiciary,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We finally achieved up-or-down votes on some of the most distinguished and qualified nominees President Bush has submitted to the U.S. Senate. I’m pleased we confirmed them to the federal bench and know they will serve us well. “I view it as a positive development we are now filling vacancies on the federal courts,” said Graham. “I hope the Senate continues the practice of voting on instead of filibustering judicial nominees.” Pryor will serve as judge on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. McKeague and Griffin will serve on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. “The confirmation of William Pryor is the most satisfying to me personally,” said Graham. “Of all the judicial candidates who have been filibustered, I have felt the most sympathy for him and Charles Pickering. “Judge Pryor will be a conservative judge every American can be proud because he will uphold the law – not make it,” said Graham. “He is a solid conservative who has taken some very brave stands in his home state of Alabama to uphold the law. “Judge Pryor has been unmercifully maligned by critics for sharing the values of average every day citizens in Alabama and throughout much of the country,” said Graham. “I’m pleased for him and his family that he will now take his lifetime appointment on the federal bench.” #####

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said he was pleased the Senate had voted to end the filibuster on William Pryor of Alabama. The vote in the Senate was 67-32. On Thursday, the Senate will vote on his confirmation. Graham made the following statement after the vote. “Of all the judicial candidates who have been filibustered, I have felt the most sympathy for William Pryor and Charles Pickering. “Pryor is one of the most courageous and qualified individuals nominated to serve on the federal bench. He is a solid conservative who has taken some very brave stands in his home state of Alabama to uphold the law and enforce judicial decrees. He’s also been unmercifully maligned by critics for sharing the values of average every day citizens in Alabama and throughout much of the country. “He will be a conservative judge every American can be proud because he will uphold the law – not make it. “Today’s vote ending the filibuster was long overdue and allows a great nominee to move forward. I hope his vindication comes tomorrow when a majority of the Senate confirms him to the federal bench.” ####

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Orangeburg-Calhoun Area Biotechnology Consortium Project administered by Claflin University will receive a $750,000 grant. The grant will be used to create an education infrastructure that helps about 100 students per year train and qualify for positions in the biotechnology industry. “Biotechnology is going to be a major focus of the American economy in the next decade,” said Graham. “It’s important we have a workforce that is well-trained and ready for new jobs in this sector.” Employment in the area’s biotechnology industry, which includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices and equipment, is projected to increase 20 percent by 2010. There are currently no entry-level programs for biotechnology workers in the area and only one established two-year biotechnology entry-level program in the state. Employers and other related biosciences industries have employment needs for skilled workers, but there are no formal targeted or specialized certificate and degrees for entry into biotechnology. Local biotechnology employers also face high rates of turnover. The education process for participants will continue through the issuance of formal certificates for training in biotechnology while others will continue into degree programs. Job shadowing in the biotechnology field will also be a part of the curriculum. Among the disciplines to be established will be Biotechnology Laboratory Technician, Biomanufacturing Technician, Forensics Training, Radiography Technician, and Agricultural Biotechnology Technician. Key partners of the program will be Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, Zeus Corporation, Supersod, Albermarle Corporation, Orangeburg County Economic Development Board, and the Lower Savannah Workforce Development Board. Claflin was one of twelve recipients chosen for grants out of 229 proposals received by the U.S. Department of Labor. ####