Sep 25 2003

Graham Announces $3.1 Million Reading Grant for Florence School District 3

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Florence School District 3 will receive a $3,194,611 Early Reading First grant. Early Reading First supports the development of early childhood centers of excellence that focus on all areas of development especially on the early language, cognitive, and pre-reading skills that prepare children for continued school success and that serve primarily children from low-income families “This is a great investment in the future of our children,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. “Early childhood education is vitally important to the successful academic and social development of students. This grant will help Florence County schools prepare young children for future academic success.” The Early Reading First program is one part of the No Child Left Behind Act, designed to improve education for all students in America. Grants are designed to help early childhood centers improve their programs, creating centers of excellence that provide young children with language and cognitive skills and an early reading foundation. Funds must be used to: Enhance children's language, cognitive, and early reading skills through professional development for teachers. Demonstrate language and reading activities developed from scientifically based reading research. Provide preschool-age children with cognitive learning opportunities in high-quality language and literature-rich environments. Use screening assessments to effectively identify preschool children who may be at risk for reading failure. Improve existing early childhood programs by using scientifically based reading research to improve all aspects of the program (including instructional materials, teaching strategies, curricula, parent engagement, and professional development). The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####

Sep 25 2003

Graham Announces $123,000 Grant to Improve Foreign Language Education

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Rock Hill School District 3 will receive a $123,670 grant to improve foreign language education programs. The funds will be used to develop German, Spanish and French foreign language instruction for grades 3-5. The program will serve as a pilot for developing and implementing a new elementary foreign language curriculum via distance learning. The school district will start the program at three sites, each focusing on one of the target languages. At the completion of the three-year grant period, the district will expand the program to twelve other elementary schools. “As our global community continues to grow, foreign language skills will become more important to succeeding in business and foreign relations,” said Graham. “These programs will help Rock Hill schools develop students with the skills necessary to become tomorrow’s leaders.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####

Sep 25 2003

Graham Congratulates Bridgestone/Firestone in Aiken

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) and Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) extends his congratulations to the employees of Bridgestone/Firestone’s Aiken County Plant for being selected by “Industry Week” magazine as one of the ten best manufacturing facilities in North America in its 14th annual Best Plants competition. “The employees at Bridgestone/Firestone are to be congratulated for this great honor,” said Graham. “An achievement such as this comes only when people work together as a team, constantly improving practices and making use of innovative technology. I have seen first hand the dedication and commitment to excellence the men and women have at this plant.” “South Carolina is proud to have this world class facility in our state. It is state-of-the-art, and is one of the cornerstones of the economy in the region.” The top ten plants were selected from over 240 facilities nominated between October 2002 and March 2003. Nominated plants reported practices and performance in such categories as benchmarking, community involvement, customer and supplier relations, employee relations, environmental and safety programs, inventory management, manufacturing operations and flexibility, market results, productivity, quality and use of technology. The Bridgestone/Firestone plant in Graniteville has won several other awards including: OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program "Star" Site 2002 South Carolina Governor's Quality Award 2002 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing ####

Sep 24 2003

Graham Announces $1.03 Million in Federal Grants to Improve Emergency Response Plans in Schools

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) and Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced school districts in Charleston, Georgetown, Richland, and York will receive federal grants to improve emergency response plans in schools.
  • Charleston County Public School District will receive $430,738.
  • Georgetown County School District will receive $109,731.
  • Richland School District 2 will receive $242,310.
  • Rock Hill School District 3 will receive $249,900.
The funds will be used to improve and strengthen emergency response and crisis management plans at the schools in each district. Additionally, training will be provided to school personnel, students and parents in emergency response procedures. School districts will coordinate with local government, law enforcement, public safety, health, and mental health agencies. “Taking care of South Carolina’s students in the event of an emergency must be a top priority for us all,” said Graham. “These grants will help schools prepare students, staff and parents to deal with crisis situations. Additionally, they will enable schools to provide for the physical safety and emotional well being of our children.” ####

Sep 24 2003

Graham Holds Hearing on Crimes Against the Elderly

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) and Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Corrections and Victims’ Rights today held a hearing to investigate the challenges of investigating and prosecuting fraudulent crimes against the elderly. The hearing focused on the impact new technologies and an increasingly global society has had on criminal efforts to take advantage of senior citizens. The quick and easy movement across borders and jurisdictions of people, information, and money has allowed some to hide in other countries while continuing to operate their fraudulent schemes here. Due to today’s technology, these fraudulent efforts are extremely hard to detect, and even harder to prevent. The committee also heard testimony about the current state of physical abuse directed toward senior citizens, and the laws used to prosecute these crimes. “These criminals prey on the vulnerabilities of our senior citizens, and cowardly hide in the shadows overseas in an attempt to escape American law enforcement,” said Graham. “They utilize our state-of-the-art commercial infrastructure to identify, contact, and defraud America’s greatest generation. While it is difficult to combat these crimes, we have a responsibility to protect our seniors and bring these criminals to justice.” The committee heard testimony from six witnesses: Daniel L. Mihalko, Inspector In Charge Congressional and Public Affairs, United States Postal Service; the Honorable James G. Huse, Jr., Inspector General, Social Security Administration; the Honorable Christopher Chiles, Prosecutor Cabell County, West Virginia, and Vice President National District Attorney’s Association; James Wright, Director of TRIAD, National Sheriff’s Association; Lori A. Stiegel, J.D., Associate Staff Director, Commission on Law and Aging, American Bar Association; and Douglas Holbrook, Board of Directors, AARP. These individuals are on the front lines in this battle, and were asked to share their successes, challenges, and needs. Graham noted the need to formulate a multi-lateral approach to this problem, coordinating the law enforcement efforts at the federal, state, and local level. “When all levels of law enforcement work together, the country can make great strides in combating crime,” said Graham. “We have seen this approach work in reducing domestic violence and child abuse; now we must tackle elder abuse.” In this effort, Graham sees the need to stiffen penalties for criminal offenders who exploit seniors. “As far as I’m concerned, there are not enough bad things we could do to these people,” said Graham. “Slapping them on the wrist won’t deter much crime. As our senior population continues to grow, we need to strengthen and enhance the capabilities of law enforcement to combat these crimes,” said Graham. ####

Sep 22 2003

Senate Unanimously Confirms Judge Henry Floyd

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Senate unanimously confirmed Judge Henry Floyd to serve on the South Carolina federal district court. Floyd was nominated by President Bush in May to fill the federal district court vacancy in South Carolina left open when Judge Dennis Shedd was promoted to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond. “I am pleased to see Judge Floyd unanimously confirmed by the Senate,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This reflects well on his qualifications, and demonstrates the Senate’s confidence in his abilities for this most important job. President Bush could not have selected a more qualified candidate or a better person.” “He has been a state judge for over a decade and received high marks for his performance from attorneys across the state,” said Graham. “He has also demonstrated impartiality and civility to all who appear before him. I’m confident Judge Floyd will demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism and serve our state and nation well.” Floyd previously served on South Carolina’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, to which he was elected in May 1992. He has also served as county attorney for Pickens, commissioner on the South Carolina Forestry Commission, and as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. “Judge Floyd has an exceptional legal mind, impeccable character, and a legacy of fair application of the law,” said Graham. “He is a fine man and will be a great addition to the federal bench.” The confirmation will now be sent to President Bush for his signature. ####

Sep 22 2003

Graham Announces $400,000 Grant to Protect Children from Internet Crimes

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 Attorney General’s office will receive a $400,000 grant to support the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The funds will be used in South Carolina to establish and maintain a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary response to ICAC offences. The Task Force will bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement and child welfare organizations to: Conduct reactive and proactive ICAC investigations; Develop a prevention education program; Establish a case management system; Develop standardized protocol for interagency referrals; and, Increase forensic and investigative capacity through training and the acquisition of specialized equipment. “The internet has created a new set of challenges for protecting our children,” said Graham, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Corrections, and Victims’ Rights. “These task forces educate children and parents about the potential dangers of the Internet, and bring together experts from all levels of law enforcement to catch criminals who sexually exploit or otherwise harm innocent children.” The South Carolina ICAC Task Force was started in 1998, one of the ten original programs throughout the country. Since then, the Attorney General’s office has received over $936,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to support this effort. Currently, there are 36 Task Forces across the United States. ####

Sep 22 2003

Spartanburg, Sumter and York Counties Benefit from Grants to Improve Teaching in American History

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) and Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Spartanburg County School District 1, Sumter County School District 2 and the Winthrop Olde English Consortium will receive grants to improve teaching programs in American History. Spartanburg County School District 1 will receive $287,916. The funds will be used to implement a professional development program in American History for all history teachers in grades 3-12, with additional participation in some activities by teachers in other districts. The project will offer three American History courses for graduate credit, one technology-based course, two ten-day and three three-day institutes, observations of exemplary history teachers, consultations with master scholars, site visits, and other professional development activities. The District’s partners in this project will be the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg’s History and Education Departments and the Spartanburg County Historical Association. Sumter County School District 2 will receive $719,784. The funds will be used to train teachers during two-week summer sessions, create mentoring relationships during the school year, and develop sustainable methods to carry on student learning. The summer institutes develop content knowledge and instruction in American history, which is taught in grades 3, 8 and 11. Of the 25 teachers who participate each summer, 5 serve as mentors for other teachers. Each summer the institute focuses on different period and person-centered themes. The District will partner with the Sumter County Museum in this project. York County The Winthrop Olde English Consortium will receive $478,502. The funds will be used for teachers of grades 4, 5, 8 and 11 to attend a summer institute each year. The first year, the institute will focus on American beginnings to 1877; the second year, 1877 to the present; and the third year, “vertical articulation from beginnings to present,” a thematic study of American history. Follow-up sessions will be held at local historic sites including Historic Brattonsville, Andrew Jackson State Park, Catawba Indian Nation, Cornwallis House, and Mount Dearborn Military Establishment. The Consortium will partner with Winthrop University, the University of South Carolina, local county libraries, and local historic commission in this project. “These are innovative programs that will allow American history teachers to continue their education and hone teaching skills,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. “Professional development for South Carolina’s teachers provides a better education for our students.” ####

Sep 22 2003

Graham Announces $810,000 Grant for SC State’s Space Science Program

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced South Carolina State University will receive an $810,000 grant to support their space sciences program. The funds will be used to support the University’s New Directions in Astronomy and Astrobiology project. “This grant will enable students and faculty at S.C. State to work closely with leading researchers in space science,” said Graham. “It will help train a new generation of South Carolinians to be leaders in future space technology.” NASA’s Minority University and College Education and Research Partnership Initiative in Space Science offers minority universities an opportunity to develop academic programs and/or faculty and student capabilities in space science through close partnerships with major space science research groups. South Carolina State is one of sixteen colleges and universities selected to participate in this program. ####

Sep 17 2003

Graham Announces $1.5 Million in Air Service Development Grants

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) and Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Charleston will receive a $1 million grant and Savannah/Hilton Head will receive a $523,495 grant to improve air service to the respective regions. The funds for Charleston will be used to secure low-fare air services from Air Tran, and the Savannah/Hilton Head funds will be used to expand services to new routes. “Improving the air service in South Carolina is a great benefit to the state’s economy,” said Graham. “These awards will help bolster tourism and bring future business investment to the state.” The Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program was established to provide small communities with financial and other assistance to address air service issues, particularly those relating to insufficient air service or high fares. The Program affords communities the opportunity to develop their own solutions to their air service problems based on the community’s particular needs and circumstances. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. ####
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