Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today took to the floor of the U.S. Senate in support of reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. “South Carolina has made great strides forward in terms of African-American voting participation and representation at all levels of state and local government,” said Graham. “I’m proud of the progress that has been made in years past and those who made it happen. During some very turbulent times, they shed blood, sweat and tears to bring about major change in our nation. I owe them a debt of gratitude, like others in my generation.” Graham noted that he was a child of the south and grew up in segregated schools for part of his life. But the civil rights movement enriched the country by allowing people to interact in ways that would have been impossible if segregation had continued. “South Carolina has come a long way in the past few decades and we have a lot to be proud of,” said Graham. “But just like every other part of the country, we still have a ways to go. I hope twenty-five years from now it can be said that there will be no need for a Voting Rights Act because things have continued to change for the better. If we continue making progress like we have in the past twenty-five years, we can make it happen.” #####