Blog
Sep 17 2004
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Fritz Hollings (D-SC) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today announced they will combine the resources of their offices to aggressively push for federal funding to help alleviate the financial burden placed on families and businesses as a result of destruction caused by Hurricanes Ivan and Frances. “Senator Hollings and I are closely monitoring those counties affected by recent hurricanes and tornados and will aggressively pursue federal aid for those areas that qualify,” said Graham. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered as a result of these storms. Senator Hollings and I will do everything within our power to help the state receive appropriate and timely relief from the federal government.” "When you think of hurricanes, you think of the coastal areas. But we've seen over the last few weeks, the Upstate has suffered. We will work together to repair the damages and provide assistance to hurricane victims all over the state," said Senator Hollings. This year, South Carolina has been affected by Hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan and Tropical Storms Bonnie and Gaston. Following Tropical Storm Gaston, Berkeley, Charleston and Williamsburg counties were declared federal disaster areas. ####Sep 11 2004
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 anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States. "The past three years the country has shown that we will make whatever sacrifice is necesary in terms of blood and treasure to maintain our freedom. The heroic acts of the 9/11 heroes have been duplicated by this generation of American servicemen and women. Their actions and courage will maintain our freedom. "The past three years has seen the killing or capturing of many organizers of the 9/11 attacks, the destruction of the Taliban regime, and the freeing of the Afghan and Iraqi people. Much is left to be done and future attacks are likely, but in the end our actions and values will prevail." ####Sep 09 2004
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced $1,086,650 in federal funds has been released to aid the City of Greenville in developing an Emergency Operations Center at the Palmetto Expo Center. Graham secured the funds in the Fiscal Year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The funds will be used to purchase security cameras and install exterior fencing to help secure emergency vehicles. In addition, this request will support conceptual planning for long-term building renovations and near-term contingency planning for building security improvements. “The Expo Center serves as the primary emergency evacuation center for many emergency situations throughout the Upstate and the surrounding region,” said Graham. “The importance of providing a secure facility for homeland security purposes has increased since 9-11, and this project is an essential first step toward increasing the security of the Expo Center.” Although funds have been released, city officials must submit a revised project narrative and budget before they may be utilized. The money was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####Sep 08 2004
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 Senator John Kerry’s opposition to creating personal investment accounts as an addition to Social Security. Kerry made his comments in Cincinnati, Ohio. Graham said: “Preventing the impending bankruptcy of Social Security is one of the greatest challenges facing our nation. Unfortunately, Senator Kerry has chosen to demagogue personal investment accounts and has failed to offer his own plan to save Social Security. “This issue is too important for politics as usual. Anyone wishing to lead our nation should offer proposals to strengthen Social Security for future generations. I hope Senators Kerry and John Edwards will offer a constructive solution to this problem. Without leadership the problems facing Social Security will only get worse. “Senator Kerry, it is not enough to say what you are against. Please also tell us what you support. “Failure to stand up and say what you support when it comes to saving Social Security from impending bankruptcy is a failure of leadership.” ##### Background on Social Security and Senator Lindsey Graham:- Without Social Security, millions of Americans who rely on the program for their retirement, disability, and survivor’s income would live in poverty.
- Unfortunately, Social Security as it is currently structured faces serious financial problems. As former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-New York) wrote in the Final Report of the President’s Commission to Strengthen Social Security, “… Social Security is in need of an overhaul. The system is not sustainable as it is currently structured.”
- The Trustees of Social Security have warned us of the serious, structural problems facing the system. In 2018, for the first time in history, the program will begin to pay out more in benefits than it takes in as taxes. In 2042, the “trust fund” will be insolvent and unable to pay full benefits to retirees.
- The problems facing Social Security are due in large part to demographic changes in the United States. In 1950, there were 16 workers supporting 1 retiree. Today, the ratio is 3 to 1. Within a generation, the ratio will drop to 2 to 1.
- In just five short years, the first wave of baby boomers will be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Between 2011 and 2030, the number of Social Security recipients will increase 65 percent, while the working, taxpaying population will only increase 8 percent.
- The combined shortfall in Social Security and Medicare is 5 times as large as all of today’s publicly held debt and 8 times as large as total federal spending in 2002.
- To keep Social Security solvent in the future, we have three choices. We can raise payroll taxes by 50 percent, cut benefits by 30 percent or modernize the system though innovative reforms that include personal accounts.
- The Social Security Solvency and Modernization Act introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) will put the system on solid financial footing by giving workers a choice of ways to balance the system.
- The Graham plan makes no false promises – each option leads to solvency for the system.
- The Social Security Solvency and Modernization Act reduces the cost of Social Security substantially and saves our children and grandchildren from a crushing financial burden.
Sep 08 2004
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevi Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) will hold Academy Day 2004 this Saturday, September 11, at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia. Academy Day allows high school students the opportunity to learn more about our nation’s prestigious service academies. Representatives from each service academy will provide brief presentations and attendees will be given the opportunity to meet with the representatives following the program. Representatives from Senator Graham’s office and the service academies will also be on hand to answer questions about the admissions and nominating process. Academy Day begins with registration at 10:00 a.m. and the program begins at 10:30 a.m. The National Advocacy Center is located at 1620 Pendleton Street. Parking is available on surrounding streets as well as in the parking garage at the corner of Pickens and Pendleton streets. If you have additional questions or want to participate in Academy Day 2004, please contact Senator Graham’s Columbia office at (803) 933-0112 to reserve a spot. #####Sep 08 2004
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $880,000 in grants to fire departments in Blenheim, Fort Mill, Greenville, Hardeeville, Roebuck, Society Hill, Summerton, Summerville, Swansea, Wagener, Ware Shoals and Windsor. “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 three program areas:- 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.
- Fire Prevention Program: The funds may be used for public education, awareness, and fire code enforcement activities; fire inspector certifications; the purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems; wildland fire mitigation; and arson prevention and detection activities.
- 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.
Sep 07 2004
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Horry County will receive an additional $1,106,053 to aid in the construction of a new terminal building at the Myrtle Beach International Airport. Graham announced the original $3,529,276 grant in April 2004. The increase in funding will accommodate security enhancements including new security vehicles and fencing, and will aid in site preparation. “Air travel is very important to Myrtle Beach and the tourism economy,” said Graham. “People love visiting Myrtle Beach and the more convenient we can make it to get there, the better.” Earlier this year, Graham met with local elected officials, airline representatives, customs officials and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to push for more resources at the airport. Graham’s efforts helped Myrtle Beach secure its own TSA director instead of having to share one with Charleston. Before this change, Myrtle Beach was the only airport of its size in the state to be paired with another airport under the TSA. “I've been very impressed by the growth of air travel in Myrtle Beach,” said Graham “We must continue to build the necessary infrastructure to allow the airport to grow. There's no doubt in my mind that increased air travel will tremendously enhance economic opportunities in the Grand Strand.” Graham also pledged his assistance for the airport when it begins applying for designation as a port-of-entry, a distinction requiring the federal government to pay for customs handling. To qualify as a port-of-entry, the airport needs at least 15,000 international passengers annually. Myrtle Beach is expected to meet this designation later this year. ####Sep 07 2004
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Allen University and Benedict College in Columbia, along with Claflin University in Orangeburg, will receive federal grants to expand their role and effectiveness in addressing community development needs. The three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will each receive $550,000 to allow these institutions to become more involved in community development needs such as neighborhood revitalization, housing and economic development. The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ####Sep 02 2004
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $600,000 in grants to fire departments in Abbeville, Conway, Honea Path, Saint Matthews, and Whitmire. “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 were awarded in one of two program areas:- 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.
