May 25 2005

Graham Statement on Wilkins Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today introduced former South Carolina Speaker of the House David Wilkins before a hearing of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. The subcommittee was considering Wilkins’ nomination to be Ambassador to Canada. Graham was joined by U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) and Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island). Following the hearing, Graham released this statement: “The hearing went very well. Speaker Wilkins enjoys bipartisan support in the Senate and in South Carolina so I hope he will be confirmed soon. “Canada is one of our strongest allies and there has been some tension in the relationship because of the war in Iraq. David is a problem solver and has the personal skills to help repair any damage. He’s also very close and loyal to the President. “South Carolina will lose a great statesman, but the United States will gain a great ambassador. I think he’ll be confirmed in a bipartisan manner and know he and his wife, Susan, will make us all proud.” ####