Jul 26 2004

Graham Secures $500,000 for South Carolina State University to Document First African-American Marines

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Congress has approved $500,000 to support a joint project between South Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. The funds will be used to produce a documentary detailing the stories of African-Americans who trained at Montford Point, North Carolina between 1942 and 1949 and became the first African-Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps. The funding was included in the 2005 Defense Appropriation Conference Report. The Conference Report provides $416.2 billion to the Department of Defense, including $25 billion in emergency spending requested by the President for early fiscal year 2005 costs associated with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. “This is an important part of our nation’s history and one that should be fully documented,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “The men who trained at Montford Point are not as well known as the Buffalo Soldiers or the Tuskegee Airmen, but their role in advancing civil rights in the military and the country was just as significant.” The Montford Point Project, located just outside Camp Lejeune, replicated for African-American recruits the training other United States Marines received at Paris Island, South Carolina. Another aspect of the history of this group of Marines that adds a dimension of excitement to this project is the fact that some Montford Point Marines are alive and able to share their stories first-hand, although their ranks are rapidly thinning. The funds will be used to conduct research and interviews, and cover production costs. To date, more than twenty interviews have been recorded and extensive research has been conducted through the uncompensated efforts of officials at S.C. State and UNC-Wilmington. ####

Jul 26 2004

Graham Announces $2.59 Million in Health Grants for South Carolina

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced over $2.59 million in health grants for organizations in South Carolina. Charleston The Medical University of South Carolina will receive the following grants:
  • $488,003 to conduct youth violence research.
  • $217,977 to support advanced nursing degree education programs.
  • $200,902 to support pre-doctoral training programs in primary care.
  • $180,965 to support residency training programs in primary care.
Greenville Greenville General Hospital will receive a $225,500 grant to conduct cancer research. Little River Little River Medical Center will receive a $523,448 grant to expand Community Health Center services in the surrounding community. Community Health Centers provide comprehensive primary and preventive health care services to the medically underserved population in the communities. North Myrtle Beach Sea Haven, Inc. will receive a $200,000 grant for ongoing operational expenses in conjunction with the Transitional Living Program. The program assists older, homeless youth, including pregnant and parenting teens, in developing skills and resources to promote their independence and prevent future dependency on social services. State of South Carolina The State of South Carolina will receive a $562,500 grant to close the gap in infant mortality in the African-American community. The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####

Jul 23 2004

Graham, Brown Announce Charleston Area Projects in Defense Appropriations Bill

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and 1st District U.S. Representative Henry Brown (R-Hanahan) today announced military projects in the Charleston area included in the 2005 Defense Appropriations Conference Report. The Conference Report provides $416.2 billion to the Department of Defense, including $25 billion in emergency spending requested by the President for early fiscal year 2005 costs associated with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation passed both the House of Representatives and Senate and will be sent to the White House. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days. “South Carolina is in the forefront of developing cutting-edge military technology and equipping our men and women in uniform,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Many people in our state give their time, talent, and even their lives to provide for the defense of freedom throughout the world. The patriotism of South Carolina is unmatched. These projects will help ensure that America continues to have the best trained and equipped fighting force in history.” Congressman Brown said, "The First District is on the front line in our country's War on Terror. I am proud of the contribution that our technology partners are making in this on-going effort, and I applaud their work in support of our uniformed services." Charleston area projects in the bill include:
  • $4.5 million to Technical Solutions in Ladson: Technical Solutions produces the Buffalo, an armored vehicle that protects against landmines and explosive blasts. The Army has already purchased 24 vehicles which are deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.
  • $2 million to SEICOR Automated Container & Cargo Handling System in Charleston: The funds will be used for design, fabrication and testing of a Phase III full-scale ship mounted Autolog container and cargo handling system. This system will enable ships to transfer cargo in high seas. Phase I and Phase II programs totaling $1.1 million have already been completed.
  • $2.8 million to Marine Containers in Charleston: The Department of Defense will purchase approximately 120,000 Quadruple Specialty Containers (Quadcons).
  • $3.5 million to SPAWAR in Charleston for Collaborative Information Warfare Network (CIWN) and $1.5 million to SPAWAR to Critical Infrastructure Protection Center (CIPC): The Collaborative Information Warfare Network (CIWN) is the backbone of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Center (CIPC) being developed at SPAWAR. The CIPC applies systems security engineering to reduce risks from terrorism across all infrastructure sectors. Utilizing SPAWAR’s high technology network-centric engineering facility and the CIPC’s information sharing and analysis architecture, the Center is developing tools to effectively fuse vital information, validating best practices to help ensure the availability, integrity, confidentiality and accountability of critical systems.
  • $2 million to the South Carolina Research Authority in Charleston for Active Coating Technology (ACT): The ACT initiative results in coatings that actively adapt in real time to threats. The coatings sense conditions and change properties to overcome risks to successful missions. This will allow the Army to initiate the development of coatings for tanks which can actively adapt to the surrounding environment (changing color), repair themselves, inhibit corrosion, and reduce the signature of the vehicle. The coatings are environmentally compliant and economical to use.
  • $2 million to GenPhar in Charleston: The need for effective vaccine treatments in cases of exposure to dangerous virus outbreaks is critical to the safety of U.S. Armed Forces personnel deployed in combat theaters and the U.S. civilian population. The dengue virus is one of the most dangerous of these viruses due to its debilitating characteristics. Because of the damage dengue wreaks on personnel readiness, the military has long pursued a vaccine against all the viruses’ strains. Working with the Naval Medical Research Center, the Multivalent Dengue Vaccine Program will provide a state-of-the art multivalent dengue vaccine that will enhance the health, safety, performance and deployment readiness of U.S. military personnel.
  • $2.6 million to Scientific Research Corporation in Charleston: Joint Threat Warning Systems (JTWS) provides individual units with lightweight equipment matched to the worldwide mission requirements of Special Operations Forces regardless of their area of operations.
  • $1 million to Supply Chain Practices for Affordable Navy Systems (SPANS) in Charleston: The mission of the SPANS program is to improve the affordability of Navy acquisition programs by increasing the efficiency of the supporting supply chain network. The objective is to help prime contractors work with their supply chains in the context of the new acquisition practices.
  • $1.5 million to LEAN Munitions Program in Charleston: Lean Munitions will implement a 3-D MODEL-BASED “Lean Munitions” design and manufacturing lifecycle support system.
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Jul 23 2004

Graham, Barrett Announce Projects in Defense Appropriations Bill

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and 3rd District U.S. Representative Gresham Barrett (R-Westminster) today announced military projects around the third district included in the 2005 Defense Appropriations Conference Report. The Conference Report provides $416.2 billion to the Department of Defense, including $25 billion in emergency spending requested by the President for early fiscal year 2005 costs associated with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation passed both the House of Representatives and Senate and will be sent to the White House. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days. “South Carolina is in the forefront of developing cutting-edge military technology and equipping our men and women in uniform,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Many people in our state give their time, talent, and even their lives to provide for the defense of freedom throughout the world. The patriotism of South Carolina is unmatched. These projects will help ensure that America continues to have the best trained and equipped fighting force in history.” “There is no doubt that supporting the military and appreciating the freedoms they defend are sewn into the fabric of South Carolina,” said former Army Captain Gresham Barrett. “I'm proud to represent a district where technology exists to improve the capabilities of our military and their quality of life. This funding will help South Carolina businesses continue to ensure that our military is using start of the art equipment.” Local projects in the bill include:
  • Easley: $1.75 million to North American Rescue Products for Combat Casualty Care Equipment: Some U.S. Marine Corps medical equipment, especially evacuation litters, is old and not compatible with Navy/NATO equipment and helicopter stanchions. These funds will help in the medical modernization effort.
  • Clemson: $3.5 million to Clemson University for Advanced Photonic Composite Research: Modern communications including radar and satellite systems, display technologies, optical fiber networks for telephony and the Internet, rely on materials and devices that can carry and process information in the form of light. The Department of Defense wants to maintain our competitive edge in the technology arena. One way to fulfill this goal is to reduce the size, weight, reliability, and costs to develop of photonic composites.
#####

Jul 23 2004

Graham, Wilson Applaud Passage of Defense Appropriations Bill

Wes Hickmam (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and 2nd District Congressman Joe Wilson (R-Lexington) today said they were pleased with passage of the 2005 Defense Appropriations Conference Report The Conference Report provides $416.2 billion to the Department of Defense, including $25 billion in emergency spending requested by the President for early fiscal year 2005 costs associated with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation passed both the House of Representatives and Senate and will be sent to the White House. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days. “South Carolina is in the forefront of developing cutting-edge military technology and equipping our men and women in uniform,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Many people in our state give their time, talent, and even their lives to provide for the defense of freedom throughout the world. The patriotism of South Carolina is unmatched. This bill will ensure that America continues to have the best trained and equipped fighting force in history.” “As we continue to make progress in the War on Terror, this bill will ensure that our men and women from South Carolina serving on the front lines have the equipment, training and technology they need to succeed,” said Congressman Wilson. “The military of our state and their families make extraordinary sacrifices everyday to protect Americans from future acts of terrorism. By fully funding President Bush's call for a military pay increase, we are renewing our commitment to the armed forces and their families.” Graham and Wilson noted $2.7 million will go to Belford Research in Hilton Head. Belford has developed a processing technology to enhance silicon chip speeds by over 140 percent while cutting their power consumption by half. After initial funding through the Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research Program, Belford has patented a “strained silicon” technology process which has attracted international acclaim and Fortune 500 interest. FN Manufacturing of Columbia will also share in a $10 million appropriation for production of the M-249, a portable, high-fire volume, highly reliable light machine gun. The weapon serves as one of the Army and Marine Corps most valuable infantry weapon systems. #####

Jul 22 2004

Final Defense Bill Provides Start-Up Funding for Program to Provide Reservists and Families Access to Affordable Health Care

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said the final FY 2005 Defense Appropriations bill contains as much as $683 million for the Department of Defense to launch a new program giving National Guard members, reservists, and their families access to affordable health care coverage until 2005. Appropriations Committee leaders told Graham and co-author Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) they would provide the rest of the funding later, if the Graham-Daschle amendment is adopted during House-Senate conference committee negotiations on HR4200, the Defense Authorization Bill. “For the first time, Congress will provide health care benefits to members of the National Guard and Reserves regardless of their activation status," said Graham, a member of the Armed Services Committee and a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Graham is the only Senator to serve in a Guard or Reserve unit. "This is a step forward and I’m appreciative of the work that went into making this happen. However, our fight for better health care for reservists is not finished," said Graham. "The program will be funded in full for at least four months while we continue to work for the necessary congressional authorization and further appropriations." Meanwhile, several recent reports have raised concerns about the declining number of reservists. On Tuesday, USA Today reported that the “Army National Guard is having increasing difficulty recruiting soldiers…. Experts say it’s easier for the active-duty Army to recruit because it offers more benefits.” On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times said, “In the corridors of the Pentagon, a major concern is that the tempo of deployments since the Sept. 11 attacks will ultimately take its toll on retention and recruitment…. Thus far, the Army has been able to meet recruiting goals for the active force, but is falling short of its 2004 target numbers for the National Guard.” On Thursday, the Washington Post said the Army’s pool of “delayed entry” soldiers has shrunk to its lowest level in three years and quoted a Missouri Congressman who said retention in his state’s National Guard “is sliding downhill very, very fast.” The General Accounting Office estimates that 40 percent of the National Guard's junior enlisted personnel and 20 percent of all reservists lack health care coverage. Last year, Graham successfully enacted a one-year program that provided access to TRICARE to members of the Guard and Reserve without employer-based health care. “I will continue working with my colleagues to fully authorize and fund this important program so it’s there for our Guardsmen and Reservists each and every year they serve our country," said Graham. "Guardsmen and Reservists are citizen-soldiers. Increasingly they are being called up to duty, taken away from their work and families, and being sent to far-away lands for long tours of duty. We need to ensure the benefits they are receiving are equal to the sacrifice they are making to protect our country and interests around the world. ####

Jul 22 2004

Graham Statement on 9/11 Commission’s Report

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 release of the 9-11 Commission’s report. “I was very impressed by the details of the report. They highlighted numerous occasions where intelligence regarding the 9/11 hijackers was not shared between agencies. This is a serious problem we must continue to remain aware of in our efforts to avert future acts of terrorism. “The Commission’s recommendation of a national counter-terrorism center where you have one-stop shopping for intelligence information is an idea I support. I am confident Congress will fully review and analyze all of their recommendations. “In meeting earlier today with Chairman Kean and Vice-Chairman Hamilton, I brought up the topic of what regimes support Al-Qaeada and other terrorist organizations? They indicated there are different levels of support, but the Commission made clear they support our government adopting a no-sanctuary policy. “It’s going to be my goal to not only support restructuring of intelligence agencies, but to be more aggressive dealing with countries that provide sanctuary and support to terrorists. Without a no-sanctuary policy it will be very difficult to control terrorist organizations.” #####

Jul 14 2004

Graham Supports Federal Marriage Amendment

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today voted in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution. He made this statement following the vote: “I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman. “A handful of liberal judges in Massachusetts should not be allowed to change the definition of marriage for the rest of the country. Unfortunately, that is the situation we find ourselves in today. “The Massachusetts Supreme Court, by recognizing same-sex marriages as legal, has set a terrible precedent. I believe it’s only a matter of time before other states will have to give in to the Massachusetts decision and recognize same-sex couples who were married in that state. “The only way to stop this process from going forward is to pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. “If we’re going to change the definition of marriage – one of the oldest and strongest concepts in our culture – it should come about through the constitutional process and actions of the peoples elected representatives. We cannot allow a few liberal judges to hijack and completely rewrite the definition of marriage.” #####

Jul 14 2004

Graham Announces $1.5 Million Grant for Greer Commission of Public Works

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Greer Commission of Public Works will receive a $1.5 million economic development grant. The funds will be used to expand the water treatment plant from 16 million gallons per day to 24 million. The expansion is designed to accommodate growth and development in the area. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Graham noted the Commission has also been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission bringing the total federal investment in the project to $2 million. ####

Jul 14 2004

Graham Announces Easley Firefighting Grant

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Three and Twenty Fire Department in Easley will receive a $36,253 firefighting grant. “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 Assistance to Firefighters Grant will help the fire department improve their training, wellness and fitness programs; purchase new firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and, make modifications to fire stations and facilities. 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. ####
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