Blog
Sep 15 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON – Home owners along South Carolina’s coast are closely watching the path of Hurricane Isabel to see where she will make landfall. Hurricanes of this magnitude usually do terrible damage costing millions of dollars and countless hours of cleanup and repairs. The effects of a powerful hurricane such as Isabel will probably be felt years after the storm has passed. One lasting effect felt by homeowners long after the cleanup is over, is the lack of affordable insurance. Often times after a natural disaster, insurance companies will pay homeowner claims and then make a business decision to not renew or issue new policies in an area fearing another catastrophic event. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today sought to alleviate this problem by introducing legislation to create a federal backstop for catastrophic risk insurance coverage. The legislation would ensure the availability of affordable homeowners insurance in areas like the South Carolina coast that are at risk from major natural disasters. “Natural disasters have the potential to create significant insolvency in the insurance industry and keep affordable property and casualty coverage out of reach for many American homeowners,” said Graham. “Homeowners along South Carolina’s coast and elsewhere should not be punished. We need to help insurance rates stay low enough to ensure all Americans can purchase the insurance they need to protect their families.” The bill divides the country into six regions. When an earthquake, hurricane or typhoon occurs in one of these areas, the U.S. Treasury Department would auction off reinsurance coverage to private and state insurance carriers in the region. This federally backed coverage would be cheaper than reinsurance coverage offered by private providers. Graham noted the bill allows private insurers, reinsurers, and capital market companies to participate in these auctions. “This bill will create competition in the reinsurance market,” said Graham. “Competition is good for consumers because it lowers prices and improves the product.” The program will require a one-time government outlay of $2 million. Afterward, it will be self-sustaining, operating on the proceeds from the auctions and investments. ####Sep 12 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Dillon School District 3 will receive a $240,940 grant to improve school libraries. Graham is a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee in the U.S. Senate. The funds will be used to implement Project LEAP (Libraries Enriching Academic Performance). In addition to updating the library collections, the school libraries will start an after school program and summer enrichment program. “Reading is a vital part in the development of South Carolina’s youth,” said Graham. “This grant will help Dillon County schools educate tomorrow’s leaders.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####Sep 12 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Medical University of South Carolina will receive a $1.235 million grant for continuing education programs in bioterrorism training. The funds will be used to support programs designed to provide bioterrorism-related continuing education and training opportunities for practicing health care professionals. “As terrorist organizations continue to develop more sophisticated bioterror weapons, we must be able to respond to these threats,” said Graham. “These professionals will be called upon to treat and protect South Carolinians in the event an attack is carried out in our state. They deserve the best training available.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####Sep 12 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Bamberg School District 2 will receive a $171,838 grant to improve school library collections. Graham is a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee in the U.S. Senate. The funds will be used to implement the Lifelong Learning through Libraries Project at elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district. The first priority of this project is to improve the book collection in each school to meet state and local reading standards. New material will be selected based on standards-based curriculum maps developed by teachers and curriculum specialists. The district will also develop school schedules to accommodate extended school media hours for students, teachers, and the community. “Reading is a vital part in the development of South Carolina’s youth,” said Graham. “This grant will help Bamberg County schools educate tomorrow’s leaders.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####Sep 10 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Anderson Regional Airport will receive a $1.678 million grant to extend the runway. The funds will be used for land acquisition, obstruction removal, wetlands mitigation, utility relocation, and the first phase of site preparation. “This award will directly benefit Anderson County’s economy,” said Graham. “Airport infrastructure improvements encourage business investment and promote economic growth.” Previous Airport Improvement grants have provided funds for extension justification, environmental assessment and design. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. ####Sep 10 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) will receive a $350,000 grant to support programs that assist victims of domestic violence. South Carolina DSS will implement the following activities under this grant:- Enhance the safety of women and children in the child welfare system by increasing protection through an interagency protocol and a county coordinating council;
- Enhance access to services and resources for women and children in the child welfare system who have been exposed to domestic violence;
- Provide cross-training on domestic violence and its effects, agency roles, use of the interagency protocol and creative solutions;
- Provide direct services to children who witness domestic violence including support groups, education, counseling, and transition support services;
- Contract with the 4-H Program to provide weekend camping retreats for child witnesses, and;
- Develop response teams to identify and assess cases involving domestic violence and child maltreatment. “Domestic violence is a devastating crime that not only brings physical harm, but also destroys families,” said Graham, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Corrections and Victims’ Rights. “We must punish domestic violence offenders, and offer support to the victims.” DSS will be the lead agency for this project and will partner with The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Clemson University’s 4-H Program, Family Court, and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. The grant was awarded by U.S. Department of Justice. ####