Blog
Jan 21 2004
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bish
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey (R-South Carolina) today announced Chesterfield County Rural Water Company, and the towns of Ehrhardt and Pamplico will receive over $3 million in grants and loans to upgrade waste water disposal infrastructure. “Infrastructure improvements help provide better services to residents and businesses,” said Graham. “In addition, these investments help promote future economic development efforts in the area.” Chesterfield County Rural Water Company will receive a $141,800 grant to be used as a cost overrun on a large project. The additional funds will be used to loop new waste disposal lines together along Highway 601 where new turn lanes are being added to the highway. Ehrhardt will receive a $273,900 grant and a $50,500 loan to upgrade and expand the town’s existing waste water treatment plant from fifty thousand gallons per day to sixty thousand. Additionally, the funds will be used to purchase 36.31 acres of land for the upgrade. Pamplico will receive a $2,277,300 grant and a $495,800 loan for the construction of a new waste water treatment facility, approximately 31,000 feet of lines, two new pumping stations, and rehabilitation of the existing sewer system. The awards were made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ####Jan 21 2004
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced President Bush has nominated Bryan Harwell of Florence to fill a federal District Court vacancy in South Carolina. Harwell has been a member of South Carolina’s legal community for over twenty years including service as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr. and State Circuit Judge Rodney A. Peeples. He served as a JAG officer in the South Carolina Air National Guard from 1987-1993. Harwell has also been a member and past chairman of the Florence-Darlington Technical College Area Commission/Board of Trustees, a business law teacher at Francis Marion University, and an Order of the Palmetto recipient. “I want to thank President Bush for nominating Bryan Harwell to the federal District Court,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Bryan for almost twenty years. I have complete confidence in his ability to be an outstanding federal judge.” “Bryan has a deep knowledge of the law equaled by a great understanding of people,” said Graham. “He is a dedicated public servant and is well respected among his peers. His legal experience and unwavering character make him an ideal choice. He will make his state and nation proud serving on the federal bench.” Harwell is a partner at Harwell, Ballenger, Barth and Hoefer in Florence, a position he has held since 1984. ####Jan 20 2004
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bish
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statements on President Bush’s State of the Union Address. On President Bush’s Discussion of Social Security and Personal Accounts for Younger Workers: “The President’s leadership on saving Social Security has been unprecedented. I applaud him for taking on this very important issue. “Social Security’s impending bankruptcy remains the biggest domestic issue facing the United States. President Bush understands that we can’t sit on the sidelines and simply watch Social Security go bankrupt. By establishing personal accounts within Social Security we can strengthen the system for future generations without harming current retirees or those nearing retirement. “Politicians in the past have committed political malpractice by allowing Social Security problems to get out of hand. The personal investment accounts discussed by President Bush would allow younger workers to get better rates of return on their Social Security taxes. This would help them create a nest egg for retirement and help save the system from future bankruptcy. “President Bush deserves a lot of credit for bringing this issue to the forefront of public debate. For too long, Social Security modernization has been an issue many politicians would rather ignore. He understands the problems are serious and the sooner we begin addressing them the better.” On President Bush’s Efforts to Win the War on Terror: “President Bush has a plan to keep America secure. The people who attacked us on 9-11 have either been captured, killed, or are on the run. Afghanistan, once a breeding ground for terrorists, is now an emerging democracy. Saddam Hussein, a ruthless dictator who defied the United Nations and the international community for a dozen years, is now behind bars awaiting trail. We are making progress in winning the war on terror and we must continue to show strength and resolve.” On President Bush’s Tax Relief Efforts Stimulating the Economy: “When I speak with business leaders and families in South Carolina, one thing is very clear -- the tax cuts President Bush signed into law were necessary to help rejuvenate the economy. By reducing the tax burden, we’ve been able to expand our economy and lower costs on families providing for their basic needs. “The $1,000 per-child tax credit, lower capital gains taxes, and lower tax rates across the board are all very popular initiatives and have played a role in helping the economy rebound. President Bush was right in pushing his tax cut through Congress and the economy will continue to progress as long as we keep the tax burden low.” #####Jan 15 2004
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bish
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Voorhees College in Denmark will receive a $54,000 research infrastructure development grant to assist the school expand its opportunities to participate in federally funded research projects. The funds will help the college send a representative to educational and training sessions at the National Institute of Health (NIH). The NIH offers participants an opportunity to interact with program specialists from a variety of federal agencies increasing the schools’ ability to compete for grants that traditionally go to larger institutions of higher learning. “I’m pleased we’re helping historically black colleges and universities develop the infrastructure necessary to compete for research grants,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. This will be the fourth year Voorhees has participated in the program. Other South Carolina participants include Benedict College, Claflin College, and South Carolina State University. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####Jan 14 2004
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bish
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $310,000 in grants to fire departments in Boiling Springs, Iva, Lake City, and Newberry. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The Assistance to Firefighters Grants will help the fire departments improve their training, wellness and fitness programs; purchase new firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and, make modifications to fire stations and facilities. Boiling Springs Boiling Springs Fire Department will receive $153,846. Iva Grove Fire Department will receive $16,650. Lake City Lake City Fire Department will receive $90,879. Newberry Newberry Fire Department will receive $49,500. The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year. The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####Jan 08 2004
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bish
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today announced the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will receive a $2.1 million grant for immunization and vaccination programs for children. The grant to DHEC will fund immunization and vaccination program operations and infrastructure, and vaccine purchase. The $2.1 million dollar grant represents an initial portion of the annual award for program operations, or infrastructure activities. The Centers for Disease Control anticipates a second round of awards once the FY2004 appropriations process is completed. The initial award can be used by South Carolina’s immunization program to maintain essential program activities such as immunization registries, outreach, disease surveillance, outbreak control, education, and service delivery. “This grant will help ensure effective immunization practices and proper use of vaccines to achieve high immunization coverage throughout South Carolina,” said Graham. Graham also noted the Medical University of South Carolina will receive two grants totaling more than $500,000 for heart and vascular disease research. “Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for men and women in the U.S.,” said Graham. “This research will help save lives. I am proud that South Carolina’s colleges and universities are on the cutting edge of medical research.” All the grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####Jan 07 2004
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bish
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $645,000 in grants to fire departments in Beech Island, Greenville, Greenwood, Lancaster, Port Royal, Rock Hill, Seneca, and Wallace. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The Assistance to Firefighters Grants will help the fire departments improve their training, wellness and fitness programs; purchase new firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and, make modifications to fire stations and facilities. Beech Island Beech Island Fire Department will receive $60,588. Greenville Greenville City Fire Department will receive $348,874. Greenwood Greenwood Fire Department will receive $110,210. Lancaster Lancaster Fire Department will receive $54,837. Port Royal Town of Port Royal Fire Department will receive $144,306. Rock Hill Rock Hill Fire Department will receive $140,356. Seneca Corinth-Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department will receive $206,643. Wallace Wallace Fire Department will receive $52,465. The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year. The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####Jan 07 2004
Graham Applauds President Bush for Tackling Immigration Reform
Additional Steps Must Be Taken to Curb Illegal Immigration
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bish
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today applauded President Bush’s immigration reform plan. He made the following statement: “There’s no doubt we have problems with our immigration policies and they must be addressed. The president’s proposal represents the middle ground in this debate and I applaud President Bush for presenting his ideas. “The president’s proposal allows immigrants who are working to come out of the shadows and benefits businesses seeking to avoid being placed in unnecessary legal jeopardy for hiring labor. It also enhances our homeland security efforts by giving us a record of who is the working in the country and makes a real effort to shrink the underground labor market which suppresses the income of legal workers. All-in all, it’s a very good starting point for Congress to begin our deliberations. “There are other issues we must address in addition to those presented by the president. A high priority of mine is much tougher physical protection of our border and creating tougher barriers to entry. “The San Diego Border Fence, a state of the art nearly impenetrable barrier, has made illegal entry much more difficult. Once a haven for illegal crossings the barrier has stopped the flood of border crossings from Mexico. It has worked and I believe we need to explore the option of expanding it to protect more miles of our border.” ####Dec 18 2003
Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced South Carolina will receive a $2.757 million Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) to improve all-hazards preparedness activities and emergency management. South Carolina will provide $2.757 million in matching funds for grants to local governments. “Our first priority is to protect the safety of all our citizens,” said Graham. “This money will help the state and local governments meet the challenges of responding to threats and emergency situations.” The funds may be used to:- Improve disaster response and recovery capabilities by maintaining and improving State and local emergency operations plans.
- Reduce vulnerability to hazards by improving State mitigation plans.
- Develop mutual aid agreements.
- Support catastrophic planning.
- Coordinate or participate in the development of an inter-jurisdiction exercise program.
- Sponsor and participate in all-hazards exercises.
- Participate in the National Emergency Management Baseline Capability Assurance Program.
- Support and participate in Community Preparedness activities.
- Develop Disaster Logistics Support and Distribution Plans.
- Provide Public Assistance Program training for State staff.
- Develop a State or Local Continuity of Operations Plan.
- Develop a State plan to test the Emergency Alert System to include citizen participation and feedback.
