Blog
Sep 12 2005
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 at the conclusion of the first day of hearings on the nomination of John Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court. Graham is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He said: “I thought it was a good day for the U.S. Senate. I thought we acquitted ourselves well on both sides of the aisle. About two and a half months ago, that was not an assured event. “Justice [Ruth Bader] Ginsburg was liberal. She got 96 votes in the Senate. Justice [Antonin] Scalia was conservative. He got 98 votes. How many will Judge Roberts get? If people judge him based on his qualifications and the way he's lived his life, he should get 100. “Judge Roberts passed the ultimate test of anyone who wants to sit on the Supreme Court. To the public at large, I believe they saw a man they would feel comfortable with judging them and their family if they ever found themselves in a courtroom. Judge Roberts spoke from the heart and described his view of the law in a way people could understand. He convinced, I think, anyone who's reasonable that he's going to try his best to be a good judge. “The confirmation hearings have always been about whether or not the president's nominee will get an up-or-down vote. The only way he would not be confirmed is through a filibuster and until recently that's been a rare event in the Senate. After his opening statement today, I don't believe anybody will be able to mount a challenge he's out of the mainstream or he's the kind of person that should not be on the court. “Judge Roberts came across as a guy who knows what he believes, is well schooled in the law, and possesses the intellect and the integrity to sit on the court. He's a conservative. To expect George W. Bush to appoint anyone other than a conservative, you didn't listen to the last two elections.” #####Sep 07 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $630,000 in grants to fire departments across South Carolina. “Firefighters and emergency service personnel dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety of South Carolinians,” said Graham. “These grants help fire departments save lives by providing the means to obtain the best equipment and training available.” The Operations and Firefighter Safety Program grant 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. The grants awarded include: Chesterfield Teal’s Mill Rural Volunteer Fire Department will receive $52,440. Clio Clio Rural Fire Department will receive $67,288. Cowpens Cowpens Fire Department will receive $151,354. Lancaster Antioch Volunteer Fire Department will receive $61,375. Ridge Spring Ridge Spring Volunteer Fire Department will receive $34,067. Summerville Summerville Fire Department will receive $136,080. Whitmire Whitmire Rescue Squad will receive $109,590. Winnsboro Fairfield County Emergency Services will receive $22,140. 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. ####Sep 04 2005
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 William Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the members of the Rehnquist family. "In his service to our nation, Chief Justice Rehnquist was the epitomy of a conservative Supreme Court Justice. His time on the Court was historic as he helped shape the Court's direction away from judicial acvtivism to a more traditional role. "I vividly remember the dignity and firmness he provided during the Senate impeachment trial of former President Clinton. I fully believe his calming and dignified influence during that difficult period served our nation well. "Chief Justice Rehnquist will be missed and all Americans owe him a debt of gratitude for his service to our nation." #####Sep 01 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) in South Carolina will receive more than $7.3 million in grants to support and expand scientific and technical programs. “In the coming decades, nuclear security and reducing the threat of global terrorism are vitally important to protecting and defending our national interests,” said Graham. “I am proud that South Carolina’s HBCU’s are taking a leading role in preparing the next generation of professionals in these fields.” Recipients include:- Allen University will receive $2 million to support the Mathematics, Science and Technology Expansion and Improvement Program.
- Benedict College will receive $500,000 to support infrastructure, research and student development in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to support national security.
- Claflin College will receive $2 million to support the Preparation of a Technologically Literate Science Workforce to Meet the Needs of the 21st Century program.
- Morris College will receive $500,000 to support programs that prepare students for careers in nuclear security.
- South Carolina State University will receive $1,301,926 to establish a pilot program in radiochemistry.
- Voorhees College will receive $1 million to support Lighting the Way: The Voorhees College Virtual Learning in Cyber Security Education.
Aug 31 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $640,000 in grants to fire departments in Abbeville, Branchville, Cameron, Pickens, and Wallace. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The grants were awarded in one of three 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.
Aug 31 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced the Columbia Metropolitan Airport will receive a $1,591,032 increase to a previously awarded grant for airport improvements. This brings the total grant award for this project to $5,998,940. The money will be used to rehabilitate and increase apron areas. The funding also improves the terminal building by acquiring and installing loading bridges to enhance passenger and airline efficiency. Safety at the airport will be enhanced by the installation of perimeter fencing around a portion of the airport boundary. In addition, the airport will purchase an aircraft rescue and fire fighting rapid intervention vehicle. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. ####Aug 30 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced South Carolina State University will receive a $150,000 grant to support the school’s rehabilitation counseling program. South Carolina State University’s rehabilitation counseling program was started in 1972 and was the first such program at a Historically Black College and University. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####Aug 29 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Myrtle Beach International Airport will receive $930,000 in federal grant money for taxiway rehabilitation. This is the third and final phase in the rehabilitation of Taxiway J. “I've been very impressed by the growth of air travel in Myrtle Beach,” said Graham “We must continue to build the necessary infrastructure to allow the airport to grow. There's no doubt in my mind that increased air travel will tremendously enhance economic opportunities in the Grand Strand.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. ####Aug 25 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) announced a grant of $500,000 to the city of Florence for the purpose of air service improvement. The grant has been awarded under the Small Community Air Service Development Program through the U.S. Department of Transportation. It will be used to institute a comprehensive marketing program to increase use of the airport. Local sources will contribute additional funds as well as provide in-kind contributions to this community effort. The program helps communities address the challenges of local air service, such as high fares and insufficient levels of service. The grants will be used by communities around the country for programs such as financial incentives to air carriers, studies to determine air service needs, and marketing programs that encourage communities to use commercial carriers offering local air service. ###Aug 24 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham announced $1,079,479 in grants for South Carolina Fire Departments. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver. For the FY 2005 program, Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, $650 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. 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 following South Carolina cities were awarded grants: Anderson Center Rock Fire Department will receive a $116,824 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Elloree Elloree Fire Department will receive a $185,250 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Midway Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $235,600 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Eutawville Eutawville Fire Department will receive a $93,110 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Moncks Corner Moncks Corner Rural Fire Department will receive a $61,299 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Seneca Friendship Volunteer Fire Department will receive an $86,292 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Sharon Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $118,750 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Simpsonville Simpsonville Fire Department will receive a $46,800 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. St. Matthews Fort Motte Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $97,090 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Whitmire Whitmire Fire Department will receive a $38,464 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. ####
