Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) was pleased the Senate today confirmed Thomas S. Griffith to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The vote was 73-24.
Griffith is the sixth Bush nominee to be confirmed to a federal appeals court in less than four weeks. He joins Judges Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown, William Pryor, David McKeague, and Richard Griffin on the federal bench. The confirmations are lifetime appointments.
The D.C. Court of Appeals is widely considered the second most powerful court in the United States behind the Supreme Court.
Graham said:
“It was another good day for President Bush, the U.S. Senate and the judiciary. Judge Griffith will be an outstanding conservative judge who will follow the laws as written, not engage in law-making. I know he will serve our nation well.”
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Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- The United States Senate today passed a resolution apologizing to the victims of lynching and their descendants for the Senate’s failure to enact anti-lynching legislation.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) was a co-sponsor of the bipartisan resolution.
“It’s appropriate for the Senate to acknowledge its failure as a body and end a sad chapter in our nation’s history,” said Graham. “When people needed us, the Senate was not there.”
Between 1882 and 1968 at least 4,742 people, predominantly African-Americans, were reported lynched in the United States.
During the first half of the 20th century, nearly 200 anti-lynching bills were introduced in Congress. The House of Representatives passed three strong anti-lynching measures between 1920 and 1940. The Senate failed to act.
“Acknowledging the shortcomings of this body and formally offering an apology to the victims and their families helps heal wounds,” said Graham. “I am hopeful that this action will move us further down the road of reconciliation.”
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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.
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Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today announced the South Carolina Department of Public Safety will receive a $675,200 grant to improve our state’s juvenile justice system.
The funds may be used for a variety of programs and activities including: planning and administration, compliance monitoring, juvenile justice issues for American Indian tribes, substance abuse prevention, crime prevention, gang involvement prevention, identification of at risk youth, treatment programs, and aftercare.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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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.”
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Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Black River Healthcare, Inc. will receive a $288,489 community health center grant to expand services in Williamsburg County.
The grant will help fund three new medical providers, additional exam rooms, clinical support staff, and a management position.
Black River Healthcare is headquartered in Manning and has additional clinics in Greeleyville, Kingstree, and Olanta.
Community Health Center grants are designed to promote the development and operation of community-based primary health care service systems in medically underserved areas.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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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.”
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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 confirmation of Janice Rogers Brown to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The vote in the U.S. Senate was 56-43.
Graham said:
“It’s been a long journey for the daughter of an Alabama share cropper to a seat on our nation’s second highest court. Janice Rogers Brown has taken this journey and arrived with her head held high.
“Judge Brown is a solid conservative who understands what the American Dream is all about and will be a thoughtful addition to the federal bench.
“President Bush chose wisely when he nominated Judge Brown. Her presence will advance the cause of conservative judicial philosophy. She will be an ideal conservative judge who follows the law and does not legislate from the bench.
“I’m pleased the Senate has now confirmed her to this important position which comes on the heels of Priscilla Owen being confirmed and sworn in as a Judge on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.”
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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.
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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 65-32 Senate vote ending the filibuster on the nomination of Janice Rogers Brown to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on her confirmation.
Graham said:
“We now have the opportunity to have an up-or-down vote on an extremely talented and qualified judge.
“President Bush chose wisely when he nominated Judge Brown for this important position. Her presence on the federal bench will advance the cause of conservative judicial philosophy. She will be an ideal conservative judge who follows the law and does not legislate from the bench.
“I’m very disappointed she has been treated so poorly for nearly two years, but I’m also glad to know that tomorrow she will finally get the vote she has long deserved.”
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