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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $175,000 in grants to fire departments in Cordova, Greenwood, Marietta, Mullins, and Walhalla. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others,” said Graham. “They are truly some of the heroes in our midst. The programs funded by these grants will help enable firefighters to better educate and protect the public.” The funds may be used for public education and awareness activities, fire code enforcement, fire inspector certification, the purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems, wildland fire mitigation, and arson prevention and detection. The grants awarded include: Cordova Cordova Fire Department will receive a $30,378 grant. Greenwood Northwest Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department will receive a $12,267 grant. Marietta Slater-Marietta Fire Department will receive a $63,810 grant. Mullins Mullins Fire and Rescue will receive a $45,000 grant. Walhalla The Oconee County Fire Chiefs Association will receive a $25,900 grant. 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. ####

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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the City of Sumter will receive a $436,261 Community Development Block Grant. The Community Development Block Grant Program develops communities and provides housing by expanding economic opportunities for low and moderate income households. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ####

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

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the City of Spartanburg will receive a $196,112 grant to aid in solving cold cases with DNA evidence. The Solving Cold Cases with DNA Program was established to search, evaluate, select, and conduct DNA analysis on violent crime cold cases that have the potential to be solved through DNA testing. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####

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

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made the following statement on President Bush and Social Security. “We’re now transitioning from defining the problem to solving the problem. Hard choices await the country but working together in a bipartisan manner we can strengthen Social Security. “Strengthening Social Security is worth political sacrifice. I’m confident the American people will rise to the occasion and do their part to make sure the system is a safety net for future generations. “By embracing progressive price indexing the President has taken a major step forward in the solvency debate and provided leadership that will lead to a permanent solution for Social Security. The rescheduling of benefits through price indexing is an absolutely essential component in saving Social Security from bankruptcy. “The problems facing Social Security can and must be responsibly dealt with soon. The people who elected us to office deserve nothing less.” #####