Blog
Sep 10 2007
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of 31 senators have written to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) calling on him to repudiate the ad today by Moveon.org in the New York Times calling David Petraeus, Commanding General of Multi-National Forces Iraq, ‘General Betray Us.’
“Senator Reid, please join us in making it clear that you do not share the views of Moveon.org, and that you will not join Moveon.org in attacking the character of this fine officer,” wrote the Senators. “It is important that all officials in positions of responsibility speak out and defend General Petraeus as the honest and honorable military leader he is. From his years of service to our country and the important position he currently holds, he has certainly earned it.”
The letter was circulated by Senator Lindsey Graham and signed by Senators Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Norman Coleman, Jim DeMint, Jon Kyl, Charles Grassley, Kit Bond, Bob Corker, Mel Martinez, Richard Burr, Johnny Isakson, Susan Collins, Wayne Allard, Judd Gregg, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Mike Enzi, Saxby Chambliss, Lamar Alexander, Pat Roberts, David Vitter, John Barrasso, Pete Domenici, Sam Brownback, Jeff Sessions, John Cornyn, Olympia Snowe, Sam Brownback, Elizabeth Dole, John Warner, and John Ensign.
“The ad is distasteful and frankly, below the level of respect that America's commanding general in Iraq has earned,” wrote the Senators. “No matter whether any senator supports or opposes the war in Iraq, we should all voice recognition and appreciation of General Petraeus' long and distinguished record of service to our country.
“The future of America's involvement there is of paramount importance to our country and, while we believe fervently in the right of free speech, we also believe that it is possible and proper to conduct this debate without besmirching our brave men and women in uniform.”
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Sep 10 2007
Graham Calls MoveOn.Org Advertisement 'Disgusting'
Encourages Senate Democratic Leader to Repudiate Ad
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) called a full page Moveon.org advertisement in today’s New York Times ‘disgusting’ and wrote a bipartisan letter co-signed by 31 senators encouraging Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to repudiate the ad.
The Moveon.org ad titled, ‘General Petraeus or General Betray Us?’ says General Petraeus, “is a military man constantly at war with the facts.” The ad smears the Commanding General in Iraq by concluding that, “Today, before Congress and before the American people, General Petraeus is likely to become General Betray Us.’
“The ad is sick and disgusting,” said Graham. “General Petraeus is a distinguished military leader and should be treated with respect. To suggest he would come before Congress and not give us his honest assessment of the situation on the ground in Iraq flies in the face of who he is and the responsibility on his shoulders.”
General Petraeus began what is expected to be two days of difficult questioning before members of the House and Senate on progress in Iraq.
In a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid, the 31 senators called the ad, “distasteful and frankly, below the level of respect that America’s commanding general in Iraq has earned. No matter whether any senator supports or opposes the war in Iraq, we should all voice recognition and appreciation of General Petraeus’ long and distinguished record of service to our country.”
The senators asked Reid to join them in making clear, “that you do not share the views of Moveon.org and that you will not join Moveon.org in attacking the character of this fine officer.”
“It is important that all officials in positions of responsibility speak out and defend General Petraeus as the honest and honorable military leader he is. From his years of service to our country and the important position he currently holds, he has certainly earned it.
“The future of America's involvement there is of paramount importance to our country and, while we believe fervently in the right of free speech, we also believe that it is possible and proper to conduct this debate without besmirching our brave men and women in uniform.”
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Sep 06 2007
South Carolinas' Matthews Nominated for Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Graham, DeMint Support Nominee
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON – South Carolina Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced President Bush has nominated Steve A. Matthews to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Matthews will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William ‘Billy’ Wilkins of Greenville. The Fourth Circuit covers the states of
“Steve Matthews is an outstanding choice,” said Graham. “He has a keen legal mind and is a man of integrity. I fully support him and hope the Senate will give him a quick and fair hearing.”
"I'm proud to support Steve Matthews and I hope he will be confirmed quickly," said Senator Jim DeMint. "Steve has the experience, intellect and integrity necessary to serve on one of our nation's highest courts. He will be a strong addition to the Fourth Circuit."
Matthews is the Managing Director of Haynesworth, Sinkler, and Boyd in
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Matthews practiced with the
Mr. Matthews has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the
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Aug 30 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the town of Ehrhardt will receive a $2,280,900 grant and a $789,000 loan for improvements to the town’s water system.
The funds will be used to replace the distribution system with larger water mains and replace the existing storage tank with a new 10,000-gallon tank.
The grant and loan were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Office. Ehrhardt was previously awarded a $15,000 grant for this project by USDA Rural Development and a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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Aug 28 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Department of Education will receive a $2,420,838 grant to assist in the professional development of early childhood educators.
The South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina First Steps, South Carolina Head Start, the South Carolina Department of Social Services, the University of South Carolina, and South Carolina State University have partnered to create the Bridges to Early Learning plan. The program will provide professional development for early childhood educators, and will serve eight impoverished areas in the state.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.
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Aug 28 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced three partnering school districts-- Florence School District 1, Florence School District 3, and Laurens School District 56-- will receive a $1,950,250 grant to implement a performance-based compensation system for teachers and principals.
The districts will use the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) model designed by the Milken Foundation. This grant will allow TAP to be implemented in six high-need schools.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.
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Aug 28 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today announced Greenville County School District will receive a $481,907 grant to strengthen their emergency management plans.
Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools grants provide funds to local education agencies to improve and strengthen emergency response plans in all four areas of crisis response: prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.
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Aug 24 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Oconee County Regional Airport will receive a $281,218 grant for the design of a 600 foot extension to the runway and associated parallel taxiway.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Oconee County Regional Airport will receive a $281,218 grant for the design of a 600 foot extension to the runway and associated parallel taxiway."South Carolina’s airports are a vital part of our state’s transportation infrastructure and play an integral role in our economy," said Graham. "These improvements will help recruit future investment and economic development to Oconee County"
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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Aug 22 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today announced Duncan Fire Department will receive a $180,525 Operations and Safety Program grant.
“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 and rescue squads by providing them the means to obtain the best equipment and training available.”
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.
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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Aug 21 2007
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has been awarded a $4.9 million grant to support the state’s floodplain mapping project.
The grant of $4,906,361 will help improve South Carolina’s flood maps by creating more reliable, easy-to-use and readily available digital products. Modernized maps track actual risk more closely as well as assist new development and rebuilding efforts.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Floodplain Mapping Program will produce Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM) for the counties of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Clarendon, Hampton, Orangeburg, Williamsburg, Abbeville, Cherokee, Chester County, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenwood, Jasper, Lancaster, Laurens, Marion, Marlboro, McCormick, Newberry and Union.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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