Jul 06 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Lowcountry Area Health Education Center in Varnville and the Medical University of South Carolina will receive a $358,396 grant to support the South Carolina Rural Interdisciplinary Program of Training (SCRIPT). SCRIPT trains health care professionals to function within interdisciplinary teams to deliver care or conduct research in rural communities. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####

Jul 06 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Florence School District One will receive a $3,999,935 Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) Grant. The SLC program is designed to promote academic achievement through small, safe, and successful learning environments in large high schools. The funds will be used at five high schools in Florence and Darlington including: Darlington, Hartsville, South Florence, West Florence and Wilson. The funds will be used to create highly personalized school-within-a-school environments in each high school. The program, known as STARS (Small Teams Achieving Results for Students), will use instructional strategies, services, and interventions to boost overall academic performance and narrow the achievement gap in student subgroups. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####

Jul 06 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will receive more than $9 million for projects along South Carolina’s coast. The funds include: Berkeley County
  • $100,000 for an assessment study of the Cooper River.
Charleston
  • $2.9 million for operations and maintenance at the Cooper River.
  • $100,000 for a feasibility study on storm drainage reduction on Edisto Island.
Georgetown County
  • $2.6 million for the planning, design and construction of a protective sand berm on Pawleys Island.
  • $100,000 for environmental restoration at the Santee Delta.
Horry County
  • $100,000 for beach renourishment at Myrtle Beach.
  • $50,000 for a Waccamaw River watershed modeling project.
  • $50,000 for a storm water drainage study at Surfside Beach.
Statewide
  • $3 million for maintenance of the Intracoastal Waterway in South Carolina.
“I am pleased our colleagues have recognized the importance of these projects to South Carolina,” said Graham. “The funds will help maintain critical parts of our state’s energy infrastructure and preserve our valuable natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations.” "These projects will help ensure commerce will continue to thrive on South Carolina's waterways,” said DeMint. “I'm please that the entire state will benefit by the protection of our state's natural resources." The Senator’s secured the funds in the Fiscal Year 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. The bill passed the Senate in a 92-3 vote. The measure will now be referred to a House-Senate Conference Committee. ####

Jul 05 2005

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced the Army Corps of Engineers will receive more than $16 million for dredging projects in the Charleston and Georgetown areas. The funds include:
  • $11,038,000 for dredging in Charleston Harbor.
  • $4,000,000 for dredging in Georgetown Harbor ($1.5 million for the entrance channel and $3.5 million for Sampit River and Upper Winyah Bay.)
  • $987,000 for dredging in the Folly River
  • $459,000 for dredging in Town Creek
  • “South Carolina’s waterways and harbors are critical to our economy,” said Graham. “They are the backbone of commercial transportation and tourism in South Carolina. We need to ensure they are properly maintained and protected.” “This funding will ensure that South Carolina’s ports can continue to serve as the gateway to the world for America’s exports,” said DeMint. “Our state's economic growth depends on maintaining the Charleston Harbor and our natural assets.” The Senators secured the funds in the 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The legislation passed the Senate last night by a 92-3 vote. The measure will now be referred to a House-Senate Conference Committee. The Senators also noted they had secured $3 million dollars in the same bill for the maintenance of the Intracoastal Waterway in South Carolina. ####

Jul 05 2005

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today announced the Beech Island Historical Society will receive a $200,000 grant to rehabilitate a turn-of-the-century brick cottonseed barn for use as an agricultural museum. The museum is a recognized site on the Region III South Carolina National Heritage Corridor for Aiken County. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ####

Jul 05 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Western Carolina Higher Education Commission-Salkehatchie Leadership Institute in Allendale will receive $228,098 in grants. The grants will be used to develop an inventory of artisans and craftspeople in the newly-formed Southern Carolina Regional Economic Development Alliance. The project is expected to create 30 jobs and assist 15 businesses. The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ####

Jul 05 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Williamsburg Enterprise Community Commission will receive a $190,000 grant to provide business counseling, technical assistance, revolving loan funds, skills development and business support services to small and emerging businesses in the community. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ####

Jul 01 2005

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Graham said: “I would like to add my name to the long list of Americans who admire Justice O’Connor. The way she conducted herself throughout public life has been an example to us all. In her professional life, she broke glass ceilings in the area of women and the law. Her keen intellect and great legal skills are matched by her kindness and decency. “Justice O’Connor will go down in history as one of the more influential justices to have ever served on the Supreme Court. She will be missed and all Americans should be grateful for her service.” ####

Jun 30 2005

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced the Army Corps of Engineers will receive $2,234,000 to help preserve and protect the Morris Island Lighthouse. The funds will allow the Corps to enter into a contract and begin undertaking efforts to stabilize the structure. Without repair, the lighthouse is destined to fall into the sea. “For over a century, the lighthouse has served as the front door to Charleston Harbor,” said Graham. “The lighthouse has a grand legacy of protecting ships coming in from the Atlantic. Now, it’s time for us to protect this historical landmark and preserve an important piece of our history.” “The Morris Island Lighthouse is a landmark of the Charleston harbor and a vital part of South Carolina’s heritage. The lighthouse should be restored and protected and I’m glad we’re taking steps to do so,” said DeMint. Earlier this year, the state of South Carolina committed an additional $500,000 to stabilization efforts at the lighthouse. This brings the state share to $1 million. The Senators secured the funds in the 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The legislation passed the Senate Appropriations Committee by a 28-0 vote and should be taken up by the full Senate in the next few weeks. Following Senate passage the measure will be referred to a House-Senate Conference Committee. ####

Jun 30 2005

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement after meeting with Chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan, Treasury Secretary John Snow, and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York.) Graham said: “Senator Schumer and I strongly believe the vote this spring by 67 Senators refusing to table the Schumer-Graham amendment seeking reform of the Chinese currency was a constructive signal from the Senate. It demonstrated the urgency and seriousness of Congress toward the China currency problem and is helping generate momentum in our efforts to bring about currency reform. “The currency issue is one of the most important problems facing the global economy and directly affects U.S. manufacturing. There’s no doubt the current Chinese policy of pegging the yuan to the dollar creates an unfair discount for their products over American goods. Significant revaluation of the yuan would send a positive signal about the role China seeks to play in the global economy. “After discussions with Secretary Snow and Chairman Greenspan, I’m convinced progress is being made on this issue. In light of this progress, I believe it is appropriate for us to show flexibility in giving this new engagement between China and the United States a chance to mature and develop. Therefore, Senator Schumer and I have agreed to postpone the impending July vote on our legislation. We’re hopeful this will allow Secretary Snow to continue to make progress. “However, if progress on Chinese revaluation stalls, Senator Schumer and I retain the right to call for a Senate vote before the end of the First Session of the 109th Congress. The Senate Republican and Democratic leadership have agreed to this change. “I agree with Chairman Greenspan that a revaluation of the yuan would be beneficial to both countries. I also appreciate Secretary Snow’s hard work on this issue and the involvement of President Bush. I remain hopeful there will be a positive outcome for both the U.S. and China in this endeavor. Much is at stake and I’m hopeful we can get a result that is a win for both nations. “The benefits to the United States and world economy by moving toward a floating Chinese currency cannot be underestimated. While revaluation alone will not substantially change the trade deficit or improve manufacturing competitiveness, it will help create a ripple affect throughout Asia as other nations keep pace in revaluing their currencies. Over time, this combined effect will be tremendously beneficial to American manufacturing as Chinese movement on currency revaluation should be followed by their Asian neighbors. “The more Asian nations come in-line with international monetary policy, the better the likelihood American manufacturing can compete throughout the world.” Note: The First Session of the 109th Congress is scheduled to end October 2005. ####