WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Army has awarded Fluor Intercontinental in Greenville a $500,000 contract to help rebuild infrastructure in Afghanistan.
The contract calls for Fluor to rebuild roads and bridges. They are also expected to construct temporary civilian barracks complete with water, sewer and power.
“Our country is committed to rebuilding Afghanistan and ensuring it does not once again become a terrorist breeding ground,” said Graham. “I am very proud that South Carolina can be a part of the effort to rebuild the country, and bring freedom and stability to the region.”
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Alligator Rural Water and Sewer Company in Chesterfield County will receive over $3 million in federal assistance to improve the company’s infrastructure. The award comes from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Project.
Alligator will receive a grant of $1.3 million and an additional $2 million in loans.
The funds will be used for the construction of a new booster pump station, administrative office, and treatment facility. In addition, money will be used to buy new construction equipment and install new water lines to serve lower Chesterfield County.
“Infrastructure improvements lead to future economic development,” said Graham. “This project will benefit the people and businesses in Chesterfield County.”
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Honeywell in Greer will receive approximately $8 million for construction of C47 Cargo Helicopters.
The award is part of a $34.8 million increase awarded to Honeywell International on an existing contract with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command.
“It’s great to see South Carolina on the forefront of military technology,” said Graham. “It’s important we supply our men and women in uniform with the best equipment available.”
The contract was originally awarded on March 4, 2003, and is set to expire December 31, 2004.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has awarded Rock Hill $1.5 million for improvements to the city’s water treatment facility.
The funds will be used to increase the capacity of the water treatment facility from 24 to 36 million gallons per day.
“Rock Hill is experiencing dynamic growth and the funds will enable the city to accommodate more residential and commercial users,” said Graham. “It will also help the city start preparing for future development.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on the passing of Ashby Ward, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We are all truly saddened by his passing. He was a strong advocate for business and a leader in the community. He loved the state and worked very hard to make it a better place to live. He will be greatly missed.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has written to Secretary of State Colin Powell requesting the department revoke former Iraqi ambassador to the United Nations Mohammed al Douri’s diplomatic immunity.
Graham said al Douri has been involved in propping up the regime of Saddam Hussein. He also played a leading role in the deceit of the United States and world community about the regime’s weapons of mass destruction program and crimes against humanity.
“I believe that at the earliest possible time Mr. al Douri’s diplomatic immunity should be revoked, as in his own words Mr. al Douri ‘has no government left for him to represent’” wrote Graham. “Mr. al Douri should be questioned immediately about his knowledge of the regime’s weapons of mass destruction program and human rights violations. He should be interrogated regarding his potential involvement in or knowledge of war crimes or crimes against humanity.
“The concept of diplomatic immunity should not be viewed as absolving an individual from legal accountability for regime crimes,” wrote Graham. “To hold otherwise could lead to very disturbing results. For instance, could Saddam Hussein appoint himself or one of his sons as United Nations ambassador and thereby be absolved of all regime crimes? Such an interpretation would be absurd and would violate both the technical definition and spirit of diplomatic immunity.
“Please advise me immediately regarding Mr. al Douri’s immunity and whether he will be interviewed regarding regime crimes,” concluded Graham.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has written to the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission requesting their assistance in the investigation of Carolina Investors/HomeGold Financial. The letter was dated April 1, 2003.
“I would like to bring to your attention a troubling situation involving HomeGold Financial, Inc., a specialty financial company based in South Carolina and its subsidiary, Carolina Investors, Inc.” wrote Graham in a letter to William H. Donaldson, Chairman of the SEC. “Carolina Investors sold notes and subordinated debentures to the public and turned the proceeds over to HomeGold. According to reports filed with the SEC in recent years, Carolina Investors provided HomeGold with an estimated $267.5 million in capital.
“Without warning, Carolina Investors closed its offices on March 24 leaving more than eight thousand investors with no access to their accounts,” wrote Graham. “Earlier this week, HomeGold Financial filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This situation had had a detrimental impact on the financial well-being of thousands of residents of my state, many of whom had their life savings invested with Carolina Investors.
“The South Carolina Attorney General has begun an investigation into this situation and I urge you to use all of the tools at your disposal to assist in this matter,” concluded Graham.
Graham noted investors should continue to contact the South Carolina Attorney Generals’ Securities Division with their complaint
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) announced today the Department of Defense has released nearly $200 million in payments to United Defense for production of 35 M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and 103 M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
United Defense has a production site in Aiken and the share of funding for the local plant is expected to be approximately $10 million. The Aiken facility produces various components for the Bradley and other military tracked vehicles.
“The employees of United Defense are helping to win the war against terrorism,” Graham said. “It’s great to see Aiken County and South Carolina playing a vital role in supporting our armed services and men and women in uniform.”
The current $200 million installment is part of a $765.5 million contract the federal government signed with United Defense in January 2001.
The M2A3 is used by infantry units to transport infantry on the battlefield, to provide cover to troops, and suppress enemy fighting vehicles. The M3A3 is used for scout missions by cavalry units.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said he was pleased with Senate passage of legislation to provide American military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan with up to $40 of free telephone calling time each month.
The legislation was introduced by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and sponsored by Graham, Senator George Allen (R-Virginia), Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), and Senator Zell Miller (D-GA). This bill is part of a package of bills introduced by Graham and colleagues to improve benefits and the quality of life for U.S. military personnel.
“It is important to provide the men and women who are risking their lives every day with the ability to contact their loved ones,” said Graham, a member of the Armed Services Committee. “They are serving a noble cause overseas, protecting the American way of life and advancing the cause of freedom in Iraq. For their sacrifice, they deserve the comfort and support of talking to their family and friends.”
In addition to providing free phone time, this bill calls on the Secretary of Defense to work with telecommunications providers to supply additional phones for the troops on the front lines.
Funding for the telephone calling program comes from the Secretary of Defense’s existing telecommunications programs and capabilities, private support organizations, private entities offering free and reduced-cost services, and programs to enhance morale and welfare.
The program will terminate sixty days after the Secretary of Defense determines Operation Iraqi Freedom has ended.
WASHINGTON -- They may be thousands of miles away from the front lines in the war on terrorism, but a Mullins company will play a big role in the war and subsequent rebuilding efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced SOPAKCO Packaging of Mullins has been awarded a $44.9 million contract from the Department of Defense.
The contract requires the company to manufacture meals ready-to-eat (MRE) for America’s servicemen and women. In addition the company will now supply humanitarian daily rations (HDR) to the liberated citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan. Both countries have been plagued by oppressive governments and food shortages.
The contract runs through December 31, 2003.
“SOPAKCO is feeding our troops who are winning the war on terrorism and now they’re going to help feed the starving women and children of Iraq,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “As President Bush has said, the day of liberation for the people of Iraq is near. The tyrant is almost gone.
“South Carolina has played an important role in the war on terrorism,” said Graham. “We’re a very patriotic group and this is another example of our state and a local community doing their part.”
This is the second time this year SOPAKCO has been called on to support the war effort. Last month, the Defense Logistics Agency awarded the company an $18 million contract extension to provide 420,000 MREs. That contract will expire May 30, 2003.
