May 25 2004

WASHINGTON--U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Lander University will receive a $248,525 grant to support the university’s Montessori program. The funds will be used for several purposes including:
  • an increase in the number of low-income children served by the preschool program;
  • adding elementary certification to the Montessori Teacher Education Program;
  • collaborating with local school officials in establishing a Montessori magnet school; and
  • conducting research on the effectiveness of Montessori education for kindergarten and elementary-aged children.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####

May 25 2004

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the town of Chesterfield will receive a $617,000 grant and a $205,900 loan for water and waste disposal improvements. The funds will be used to bring Chesterfield’s waste disposal facility into compliance with new DHEC regulations. The money will aid the town in correcting problems associated with dissolved oxygen, OD5 and ammonia levels currently not in compliance. The grant and loan were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ####

May 24 2004

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on President Bush’s address to the nation. “I strongly believe the President’s decision to address the nation provides clarity and details regarding the transformation of Iraq. It was extremely helpful and comes at a critical time. “It is now time for Iraqis to become stakeholders in their own future. The President’s efforts to bring that about, beginning June 30th, are sound and will signal the beginning of a new Iraq. America’s blood and treasure will still be required, but the President’s plan spreads the burden and opportunity to a larger group. “The President’s call on the United Nations to play a larger role is appropriate and our key allies in NATO can be extremely supportive of efforts to transform Iraq. The combination of international assistance empowering Iraqis to determine their own future and a continued American presence to provide security is the essence of the President’s plan. If executed properly, it can be a winning combination to secure a peaceful democratic Iraq out of the ashes of a brutal dictatorship. “The President’s transformation plan not only empowers Iraqis to set their own destiny, it requires it. “The Iraqi people must be willing to sacrifice for their own freedom. Without that willingness, efforts to bring democracy to Iraq will fail. Americans know from first-hand experience that to secure and maintain freedom requires constant sacrifice and unwavering resolve. Those are qualities we all hope to see exhibited by a free, democratic Iraq. “The President is right that insurgents and foreign fighters will increase their efforts to destabilize Iraq. Unfortunately, it may get worse before it gets better. The terrorist’s worst nightmare is the ballot box where the Iraqi people can freely express themselves about their future.” ####

May 21 2004

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Department of Public Safety will receive a $1.79 million grant to combat violence against women. South Carolina ranks first in the nation in the number of women who are murdered by men. The STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant program promotes a coordinated approach to improving the criminal justice system's response to violent crimes against women. The STOP Program encourages the development and strengthening of effective law enforcement, prosecution strategies, and victim services. The Department of Public Safety must allocate at least 30 percent of the funds to nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs; 25 percent to law enforcement; 25 percent to prosecution; and 5 percent to the courts. The remaining 15 percent may be awarded at the Department’s discretion. “Violence against women is a real problem in South Carolina,” said Graham. “These funds will help assist victims and bring criminal offenders to justice.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####

May 18 2004

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Department of Public Safety will receive a $6.94 million grant to assist state and local governments implementing programs improving the criminal justice system. In South Carolina, the funds will be used for statewide crime and drug control activities including providing personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems. Funds may be used for prevention projects and innovative initiatives aimed at crime and drug control. The grant requires special emphasis be placed on controlling violent and drug-related crime and offenders, and on fostering multi-jurisdictional and multi-state efforts to support national drug-control policies. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####

May 17 2004

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on the fifty-year anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling. “Fifty years have passed since the historic Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education declared separate but equal unconstitutional. Ensuring that our public schools are open to everyone is a great equalizer in America. “I will soon be turning 49 and I know that having an integrated school system has enriched my generation by allowing all of us in South Carolina to learn, socialize, and compete together in a public school setting. “The brave men and women who fought to end the segregation of public schools have done a great service to South Carolina and our nation. It is appropriate they be honored and all of us should commit ourselves to build upon their legacy.” #####

May 14 2004

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Department of Public Safety will receive $5.1 million dollars to enhance crime victim services in the state. The funds will be competitively awarded by the state to local community-based organizations that provide direct services to crime victims. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####

May 14 2004

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded over $318,000 to South Carolina cities and counties to aid in the purchase of bullet proof vests for law enforcement officers. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grants provide funding priority to jurisdictions with a population under 100,000. The funds will pay up to 50 percent of the cost of bulletproof vests. Jurisdictions with populations of 100,000 or more are eligible to receive funding with money remaining in the grant fund. The following 58 jurisdictions in South Carolina will receive BVP funds in 2004: Jurisdiction and BVP Funding State of South Carolina $61,694 Towns & Cities Aiken $11,130 Anderson $30,927 Beaufort $4,134 Bluffton $2,570 Burnettown $350 Cayce $1,887 Central $3,465 Charleston $10,600 Cheraw $5,065 Clemson $5,869 Clover $1,683 Conway $2,756 Dillon $3,771 Duncan $1,085 Florence $5,281 Folly Beach $557 Georgetown $3,691 Goose Creek $5,817 Hanahan $874 Irmo $538 Iva $2,787 Laurens $9,800 Lexington $1,360 Manning $2,100 Moncks Corner $4,715 Mount Pleasant $2,118 Myrtle Beach $8,268 Newberry $940 North Augusta $2,491 North Charleston $11,340 North Myrtle Beach $33,710 North $1,250 Orangeburg $1,744 Pamplico $1,175 Richland-Lexington Airport District $719 Saluda $491 Spartanburg $800 Sullivan’s Island $2,057 Sumter $7,550 Surf Side Beach $1,050 Swansea $1,290 Travelers Rest $577 Walterboro $3,130 West Columbia $492 West Pelzer $1,750 Counties Anderson County $550 Cherokee County $7,100 Florence County $912 Georgetown County $2,665 Greenwood County $3,240 Horry County $1,513 Laurens County $22,500 Lexington County $1,959 Oconee County $3,390 Pickens County $661 Richland County $5,204 Sumter County $1,123 “Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line everyday to protect us,” said Graham. “They deserve the best equipment available as they carry out their duties.” ####

May 13 2004

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced an order for 21 Buffalo Mine Protected Clearance Vehicles will be filled by Technical Solutions Group of Ladson. The estimate value of the contract, targeted for completion by years end, is $15.3 million with an initial release of $7.6 million. “Our men and women in uniform deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “The Buffalo will help protect our soldiers from landmines and roadside bombs as they carry out their duties in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s an important vehicle helping our soldiers fulfill critical missions.” “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, it’s also particularly satisfying to know that a company with South Carolina ties is playing a big role in helping win the war on terror.” Graham has been an advocate for additional armed vehicle protection for U.S. soldiers and Marines in the global war on terror. Technical Solutions Group, a subsidiary of Force Protection, Inc., manufactures and markets vehicles designed to both protect troops and equipment as well as to detonate and remove mines. The company combines a proprietary capsule design with American automotive technology to produce vehicles with a high level of protection, visibility, load carrying capacity, interior space and parts availability- all critical qualities in military vehicles. ####

May 12 2004

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement after viewing additional photos and videos of prisoner abuse in Iraq. “In Saddam’s world this was standard. In our world, it’s devastating. “There was evidence of a total breakdown in discipline and military order. “Some of it was clearly rogue behavior by the military police. Some of it seems more elaborate. “It reinforced my view that some of the conduct was orchestrated in a manner to suggest direction or tolerance beyond the military police involved. The question becomes, ‘Where did that direction come from?’” #####