Blog
Jan 05 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the nomination of Mike McConnell to be the Director of National Intelligence. “Admiral McConnell has an outstanding resume. He comes highly recommended from a variety of sources for his national security and intelligence experience. I look forward to meeting him and hope he will be well-received by the Senate. “All South Carolinians are very proud a Greenville native has achieved so much and is seen by President Bush as capable of handing one of the most important jobs in government. “In the fight against terrorism, the Director of National Intelligence is of critical importance. The DNI is our first line of defense in disrupting terrorist plots against our nation. Since 9/11 our intelligence gathering capabilities have improved, but there remains more to be done. We have to be perfect in stopping terrorist attacks one hundred percent of the time. They only have to be right once.” #####Dec 30 2006
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement on on the execution of Saddam Hussein. "This act of justice being rendered came as the result of great sacrifice by coalition forces and great resolve by the Iraqi people who were victimized for decades by Saddam's tyranny. Dictators like Saddam Hussein thrive when good people with the capacity to act fail to do so. In this case, a brutal dictator met his fate because good people, both inside and outside of Iraq, acted to bring his tyranny to an end. "The task of replacing tyranny with a functioning democracy is exceedingly difficult, but worth the effort. I hope people yearning to be free from tyranny will take this event as a sign of hope. And those who maintain power through tyranny understand the world is changing and they could be next. "After five visits to Iraq and having observed last year's election, I'm convinced the extremists and radicals creating chaos in Iraq can and will be defeated. The vast majority of Iraqis want to reconcile their country and live in freedom. The moderate forces within Iraq continue to need American assistance in greater levels than are currently being provided. Additional American combat capacity will empower moderates in Iraq and be a blow to the radical and extremist forces. Now is the time to reinforce Iraq so moderate political leaders will have the ability to suppress radical and extremist forces representing a minority of the country." #####Dec 29 2006
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on the passing of James Brown. "James Brown’s music was the voice of a generation and his impact on American music is immeasurable. I will always remember him performing at a luncheon announcing Strom Thurmond and Bob Dole's endorsement of my Senate campaign. To have shared the stage with two political giants and the Godfather of Soul is a memory that will last a lifetime." ####Dec 28 2006
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced Cooley Springs Fire Department in Chesnee will receive a $142,000 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program grant. The SAFER Program assists in the hiring of full time firefighters and supports the recruitment and retention of volunteer fire fighters. “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 recruit and retain dedicated professionals.” “South Carolina's firefighters risk their lives to protect our families every day. I'm pleased they have been awarded these competitive grants that will assist in hiring more firefighters,” said Senator DeMint. The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####Dec 27 2006
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement on the death of former President Gerald R. Ford. “It is gratifying to see an increased appreciation of the presidency of Gerald R. Ford. He inherited a battered institution and within two-and-a-half years was able to pass on to his successor a restored presidency. “America has always been blessed with having the right people come along at the right time in history. In 1974 America desperately needed a decent and honorable leader who could heal a wounded nation. That is exactly what we had in Gerald Ford. “It's now hard to imagine the turmoil that existed in those difficult days. I believe history will continue to elevate the Ford Presidency and more Americans will appreciate the valuable service rendered by one of the most decent, kind men to ever occupy the Office of President of the United States. “Without any doubt, Gerald Ford made decisions as President that put country above self. It should be an inspiration to all serving in public office today.” #####Dec 20 2006
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on President Bush’s decision to support a larger all-volunteer Army and Marine Corps. Graham has been a long-time advocate of increasing the size of the military. “I enthusiastically support President Bush’s decision to grow the Army and Marine Corps. A larger military would provide us with additional combat capability in Iraq and Afghanistan and allow us to deal with other threats looming on the horizon. We need additional combat capability and in war, there is no substitute for boots on the ground. “The rotation schedule for our soldiers is strenuous and a larger military will take pressure off them. Because of over-utilization we are on the verge of wearing out one of the greatest military machines ever created. As ranking member on the Personnel Subcommittee of Armed Services, I will push hard to dramatically increase the Army and Marine Corps footprint. This is a much-needed change in American military policy.” ####Dec 19 2006
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Chuck Schumer (D-New York) today made the following statement on the Treasury Department currency report stating China does not manipulate its currency. They said: “The Administration continues to use technical and legalistic dodges to avoid saying what everyone knows to be true -- the Chinese manipulate their currency. It’s as plain as the nose on your face. “After five years of work on this issue, we are not satisfied. If the Administration still won’t call China a manipulator, how can we ever expect them to get China to play fair?" “The Chinese cannot be part of the international community on their terms alone. They need to be pressed to play by the rules and that means putting an end to currency manipulation.” ####Dec 16 2006
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced more than $230,000 in grants to fire departments in Hardeeville and Santee. “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: Hardeeville Hardeeville Fire and Rescue will receive a $43,406 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Santee Providence Fire Department will receive a $187,340 Firefighting 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. ####Dec 14 2006
Graham to Serve on Five Committees in the 110th Congress
Set to Add Agriculture to Committee Assignments
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) will join the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee in the next Congress.The committee oversees the U.S. Department of Agriculture and represents the interests of America's farmers. It also has jurisdiction over the nation's food and nutrition programs, assists with rural development, and helps regulate our natural resources.
In addition to joining the Ag Committee, Graham will retain his current assignments on the Armed Service, Budget, Judiciary, and Veterans' Affairs committees.
"I am excited about the opportunity to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee and represent the interests and needs of South Carolina's farmers," said Graham.
Graham noted the Agriculture Committee has a great impact on South Carolina. Beyond farming, the committee also oversees the USDA Rural Development program which provides grants to promote economic development and helps to ensure our state's children receive proper nutrition in schools.
In addition, the Agriculture Committee is scheduled to reauthorize the farm bill in the next Congress as many provisions in the 2002 farm bill will expire in 2007. The committee is expected to craft legislation reauthorizing federal farm support, food assistance, agricultural trade, marketing, and rural development policies.
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), the ranking Republican on the committee made the following statement about Graham.
"I'm very pleased my colleague and good friend Senator Graham will be serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee," said Chambliss. "Lindsey is one of the true leaders in the Senate. He's respected by his Republican and Democratic colleagues for his common-sense approach to solving our nation's problems. South Carolina and America's farmers have a strong advocate and friend on the Ag Committee in Lindsey Graham."
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