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

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Robert Sumwalt of Columbia has been confirmed by the Senate to serve on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). On Graham’s recommendation, President Bush nominated Sumwalt in June, 2006. He was confirmed unanimously by the Senate last night. “Robert Sumwalt has a distinguished career in the field of aviation safety,” said Graham. “He is uniquely qualified for this position. I am pleased President Bush nominated him, and I was proud to support his nomination. Robert represents the best of South Carolina and will serve his nation with distinction.” Sumwalt worked for 24 years as a pilot with US Airways, and currently manages the aviation department at SCANA Corporation in South Carolina. Sumwalt has received extensive education and training in aviation safety and aircraft accident investigation at the University of Southern California. A co-founder of the Air Line Pilots Association Critical Incident Response Program, he also served as a member of the NTSB’s human performance group in the USAir 427 accident investigation. In 2003, Sumwalt joined the faculty at Southern Cal’s Aviation Safety and Security Program. In addition, he frequently conducts aviation safety, crew resource management, and human factors seminars. He is also a speaker at numerous domestic and international aviation safety conferences. From 1991 to 1999, Sumwalt worked as a research consultant to the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Aviation Safety Reporting System. He has also authored several books on aviation safety. Sumwalt will serve the remainder of the existing term which expires at the end of this year, and a subsequent term which ends December 31, 2011. The NTSB is an independent Federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation -- railroad, highway, marine and pipeline -- and issuing safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. ####

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

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today voted in support of an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) which provides $1.8 billion in funding for the construction of at least 370 miles of triple-layered fencing and 461 miles of vehicle barriers at strategic locations along the southwest border. The amendment was attached to the Senate Defense Appropriation bill which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense. “The first issue to address in immigration reform is border security,” said Graham. “Without strong physical border security no immigration reform will be successful in stopping the flood of illegal crossings. The porous nature of our border doesn’t just pose immigration problems, but national security ones as well. Additional border fencing is a small price to pay when it comes to protecting our national security and relieving the pressure we face from illegal immigration.” Graham noted that border fencing and better physical security of our borders coupled with establishing a guestworker program and a worker verification system are the key components in passing comprehensive immigration reform. Graham has continued to meet with senators and members of the House of Representatives in an effort to find common-ground on immigration reform. He has also expressed interest in immigration reform proposals based on some of the principles outlined in legislation proposed by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Representative Mike Pence (R-Indiana). “We need to comprehensively address immigration reform and I think we ought to do it before the November elections,” said Graham. “With Presidential leadership and the ongoing talks between members of the House and Senate, I’m optimistic we can get it done. The American people expect us to get this done and we shouldn’t let them down.” #####

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

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced the town of Branchville will receive a $1.1 million grant and a $600,000 loan for water system improvements.

The funds will be used to install water distribution lines from Branchville on Highway 21 to the Cattle Creek Road area of Orangeburg County. The project includes approximately 81,500 feet of water line, 54 hydrants, and a 250,000-gallon elevated storage tank. There is currently no public water available in the project area.

The grant and loan were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

####

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

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) yesterday hosted a meeting with Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, Office of Management and Budget Director Rob Portman, Senators Jim DeMint, Saxby Chambliss, Johnny Isakson and Representatives Gresham Barrett, Joe Wilson, and Charlie Norwood. The group gathered to discuss Savannah River Site issues. They made the following statements following the meeting. “Future budget certainty for the Site is a great concern for those in the region,” said Graham. “Every year we are confronted with major budget cuts and find ourselves fighting for level funding. I felt it was important to bring the key players in the room to discuss long-term funding strategies for cleanup and future missions. We had a very productive meeting and I appreciate Secretary Bodman and Director Portman’s work in helping move the MOX program and cleanup efforts forward. We discussed various technical, regulatory, and funding issues affecting current and future operations of the Site. We all share the same goal of moving forward with the MOX program and continuing our cleanup efforts in the most efficient, safe, technically sound, and cost-effective manner possible. I think today’s meeting was a positive development and will help us achieve our common goals in the future.” “I believe our message was well received by Secretary Bodman and Director Portman,” said Chambliss. “They both understand the national importance of the Savannah River Site. The meeting provided us an opportunity to present the case for a stable, robust funding stream for the Savannah River Site. I was pleased to hear of the Administration’s strong support for moving forward with the MOX program and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure this critical program is funded.” “Secretary Bodman has clearly focused much of his time on MOX and the Site’s cleanup, and I’m encouraged he says the Site is one of his highest priorities,” said DeMint. “Director Portman’s experience on these issues and willingness to work with the state delegations makes me optimistic we can put the Site on a stable and predictable path.” “I was pleased to join with my colleagues from Georgia and South Carolina in presenting a unified message on the Savannah River Site cleanup,” said Isakson. “We had a very productive meeting and reiterated the importance of the MOX program and the need to continue our cleanup efforts.” "I appreciate Senator Graham coordinating this meeting and bringing all parties to the table,” said Wilson. “The future of the Savannah River Site is of vital importance to the people of the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. While we continue to face budgetary and logistical issues, we remain focused on moving forward with the MOX program and expediting waste cleanup. Secretary Bodman and Director Portman are in full cooperation, and I am confident this meeting was a step in the right direction." "It was necessary to bring everyone together and talk about long-term strategies for the site, and I appreciate Senator Graham taking the lead and making that happen," said Barrett. "I feel good about the direction we are headed. We are all on the same page as it relates to moving MOX forward and ensuring the clean-up efforts continue in a way that is both safe and cost-effective. There is no doubt that the SRS has a lot to offer South Carolina and the country. Today's meeting was a great step in making sure we move forward in a smart manner." #####