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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced $1.2 million in grants to fire departments in Abbeville, Anderson, Belvedere, Blacksburg, Calhoun Falls, Lancaster, Orangeburg, Ridgeville, Rowesville, Spartanburg, Union, Williamston, and Williston. “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 are awarded in one of two program areas:

• Firefighting 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.

Abbeville Sharon Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $56,875 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Anderson Zion Fire Department will receive a $64,538 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Belvedere Belvedere Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $63,503 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Blacksburg Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $46,742 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Calhoun Falls Calhoun Falls Fire Department will receive a $71,977 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Lancaster Camp Creek Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $130,500 grant for a firefighting vehicle. Orangeburg Four Holes Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $84,611 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Ridgeville Ridgeville Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $68,055 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Rowesville Rowesville Fire Department will receive a $196,629 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Spartanburg Whitney Area Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $68,877 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Union Cross Keys Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $133,200 grant for a firefighting vehicle. Williamston Williamston Fire Department will receive a $64,844 grant for firefighter operations and safety. Williston The town of Williston will receive a $158,280 grant for a firefighting vehicle. 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. Grant funds to local fire departments will come from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####

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: “I have personally contacted U.S. military authorities in Baghdad and have been informed that no member of the reserve unit in question has been arrested or detained. “The reserve unit has been in Iraq for over nine months and has performed honorably. “The issue to be addressed is whether or not a small group of reservists expressed concerns or acted in an inappropriate manner leading to a temporary breakdown of good order and discipline. “There is an on-going investigation. I am confident this matter will be fully and fairly addressed and I intend to follow it to its conclusion.” #####

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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Tom Daschle (D-SD), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) today announced Congress has approved a plan to expand TRICARE benefits for members of the Guard and Reserve and their families. TRICARE is the military health system. The program was included in the FY2005 Ronald Reagan Defense Authorization Bill. “This is another step forward in our effort to ensure that every Guard and Reserve member and their family have year-round access to military health care,” said Graham, the only U.S. Senator to currently serve in a Guard or Reserve unit. “It’s sad but true that a significant number of Guard and Reserve members called to active duty are unable to serve because of medical problems. Guardsmen and Reservists are the only part-time federal employees who are currently ineligible for federal government full-time health care benefits. It’s my goal, in a bipartisan manner, to alleviate this inequity and this bill takes another step toward that goal.” "I was proud to work with Senator Graham and this bipartisan group to move forward toward the ultimate goal of permanent access to affordable health coverage for Guard members, reservists, and their families. We have made much progress on behalf of those troops who are defending this country--and we will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to build on this success," Senator Daschle said. "In my home state of South Dakota, 90 percent of Guard members, roughly 4,000 men and women, have been mobilized since September 11. Because of this legislation, they now will be eligible for benefits from the military health program." “For too long we have neglected the healthcare needs of the Reservists and National Guardsmen who stand ready to accept the call of duty," Senator DeWine said. "By extending TRICARE coverage that we secured for unemployed and uninsured members of the Reserve Component, we are easing the strain of deployment on Service members and their families and increasing readiness of our troops.” “After fits and starts, we are finally getting a TRICARE health insurance program underway for the men and women of our Guard and Reserves,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT.), co-chair of the Senate National Guard Caucus. “We are asking our Guard and Reserves to do more at home and abroad, and we need to do our part to meet their basic needs. When our troops and their families are healthy, our entire military is stronger, and that’s why affordable health insurance is both a critical readiness issue and a fairness issue. Now we have achieved a program for reservists who have already been mobilized, and I hope we can soon expand this program to other reservists.” “I applaud this expanded TRICARE provision which will provide healthcare coverage for our reserve service members for an extended period of time after they are deployed," said Chambliss. "Health care is the single benefit that means and matters the most to members of the Reserve Components, and I am proud to play a part in expanding this benefit for all Guardsmen and Reservists.” "Members of the National Guard, in New York and elsewhere, are serving their country with honor and distinction and making incredible sacrifices. TRICARE for Guard and reserve members is an idea whose time has come," Senator Clinton said. "This bill is a positive step towards providing them and their families with insurance coverage and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the future to take further steps toward that goal." The program significantly increases the length of time that eligible Reservists are able to receive TRICARE coverage. Under the new eligibility requirements, Guardsmen and Reservists who serve on active duty under federal orders for 90 consecutive days will be eligible for one year of TRICARE coverage. For every additional 90 days of service they will be eligible for an additional year of health care coverage. The Department of Defense will pay 72 percent of the cost and the reservist will be responsible for paying the remaining 28 percent. Currently, members of the Reserve Component and their families are eligible for TRICARE only while on active duty. In August, Congress approved funding to provide enhanced TRICARE benefits to guardsmen and reservists. The details of the program were negotiated over the past several months, resulting in the program approved today. “The goal next year will be to appropriate the proper funding amount to allow every member of the Guard or Reserve to participate in TRICARE,” said Graham. “It will help retention, readiness and be a long overdue benefit upgrade.” Also included in the bill is a provision that continues the expansion of pre-and-post deployment eligibility guidelines for TRICARE the Senators championed last year. Guardsmen and Reservists become eligible for TRICARE upon receiving their activation orders and can remain on the healthcare system for 180 days after they are deactivated. This provision applies to all members of the Guard and Reserve regardless of the length of time activated. “Providing health care will be a tremendous benefit, as one-fifth of Guardsmen and Reservists do not have health care in the private sector,” said Graham. “Of all the issues I have worked on this has achieved the most bipartisan support. When Tom Daschle, Hillary Clinton, Pat Leahy, Mike DeWine, Saxby Chambliss and I -- representing every end of the political spectrum -- come together, that shows the broad appeal of this issue.” The bill will now be sent to President Bush for his signature. The Department of Defense will then have 180 days to locate and notify eligible Guardsmen and Reservists. ####

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 2nd presidential debate. "The challenger must make the case the incumbent should be fired and they are capable of meeting the challenges of the office they are seeking. Tonight, John Kerry failed on both accounts. "President Bush commanded the room demonstrating leadership qualities in the domestic and foreign policy arena that fit the troubling times we are in. He convincingly demonstrated that his domestic and foreign policy accomplishments and goals have America moving in the right direction to make us safer and stronger. "Senator Kerry tonight, and through 20 years of service in the Senate, constantly embraced a domestic agenda couched in class warfare and big government liberalism. His foreign policy agenda relies on failed U.N. policies which do not comprehend the nature of our enemy. He also does not strongly embrace the concept that democracy and freedom are the only antidotes to terror. "By belittling of our allies and the sacrifices of the Iraqi people who are dying for their freedom, he sends the wrong message at the wrong time." #####