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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced more than $230,000 in grants to fire departments across South Carolina. “Firefighters and emergency service personnel dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety of South Carolinians,” said Graham. “These grants help fire departments save lives by providing the means to obtain the best equipment and training available.” “I’m pleased to announce these grants that are important to the brave firefighters that risk their lives for the families of South Carolina,” said Senator DeMint. The Operations and Firefighter Safety Program grant may be used for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities. The grants awarded include: Barnwell Long Branch Fire Department will receive $96,352. Belton Belton Fire Department will receive $133,760. 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. ####

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

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on South Carolina’s October unemployment numbers. “Governor Sanford’s decision to create jobs in South Carolina by lowering taxes and controlling the size of government will pay great dividends. South Carolina has a heavy manufacturing-based economy, and the manufacturing sector has been hit hard throughout the country. “The addition of 29,000 people to our labor force in the past two months is encouraging and the Governor’s policies of energizing the private sector will continue to pay dividends if we stay the course. South Carolina’s economy will only grow if the private sector has the tools and resources necessary to create jobs. That is the heart of Governor Sanford’s economic reform proposals. “I am convinced that Governor Sanford’s policies will be successful in allowing the private sector to create more jobs.” South Carolina was reported to have a 6.9 percent unemployment rate in October. The rate is due in large part to rapid growth in the state’s labor force. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina’s labor force has increased by more than 29,000 people in the past two months- nearly the same growth as the previous 14 months combined. ####

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

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the United States Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2006 Commerce and Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that contains more than $44 million for South Carolina projects. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint voted in favor of the bill, which passed 94-5. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives last week and is expected to be signed into law by President Bush. “I am proud that South Carolina’s delegation was able to work together to provide funding for these important projects,” said Graham. “The programs funded by this bill will help our universities remain at the forefront of research, assist local law enforcement agencies, update infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.” "These funds will go toward increasing our local law enforcement officers’ ability to communicate with each other during emergencies," said Senator DeMint. Highlights of the bill include: Low Country

• $8 million for the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina
• $2.3 million for the Southern Shrimp Alliance
• $1.5 million for the South Carolina Coastal Initiative for land acquisition in Beaufort County
• $250,000 for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for RecFIN
• $200,000 for Florence Crittenton in Charleston
• $150,000 for the Southeastern Law Enforcement Center for law enforcement technologies
• $100,000 for the Southeastern Law Enforcement Center’s Lowcountry Information Technology Improvement Project
• $50,000 for the Walterboro Sheriff’s Office
• $50,000 for Darkness to Light juvenile sexual abuse educational programs in Charleston

Pee Dee

• $250,000 for Kingstree Law Enforcement Training
• $200,000 for the Myrtle Beach International Trade Center
• $50,000 for the Williamsburg Sheriff’s Department
  Midlands
  • $4.5 million for prosecutorial training by the National Advocacy Center
  • $2.05 million for Caro-Coops at the University of South Carolina
  • $600,000 for the Richland County Learning Center
  • $300,000 to develop a DNA forensics lab at Claflin University
  • $50,000 for the Gang Intervention/Methamphetamine Initiative in Columbia
  • $50,000 for the Town of Santee Police Department
  • $50,000 for Sumter County
  Piedmont
  • $300,000 for the Rock Hill Communications Center
  Upstate
  • $13 million for the National Textile Center
  • $150,000 for the Anderson County 800 MHz Communication Project
  • $100,000 for the Clemson ICAR Innovation Center
  Statewide
  • $8.2 million to Experimental Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research educational programs EPSCoR) at the University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University
  • $850,000 for SCDNR’s MARMAP- Marine Resources Monitoring Assessment and Prediction Program
  • $467,000 for the Height Modernization Regional Expansion project for SC Budget and Control Board
  • $300,000 for Southeastern Sea Turtles research for SCDNR
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Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – South Carolina’s U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint along with Third District Representative Gresham Barrett today characterized next year’s funding for Savannah River Site as adequate to carry out the important operations of the Site. “Considering the pressure being placed on the federal budget because of the War on Terror and Gulf Coast hurricane relief efforts, I think we did as well as could be expected,” said Graham. “Funding for the Site this year is a mixed bag. We lost some fights and won others.” "Thanks to the leadership of Senator Graham and Congressman Barrett, we were able to fund the important needs of the Savannah River Site, including the necessary cleanup and moving forward on MOX," said Senator DeMint. "However, we must remain committed to new missions and ensuring full funding in future years." "We didn't get everything we had wanted, but in a time when everyone has been asked to cut back on spending I don't think we can complain about the overall funding levels," said Barrett. "As we move into 2006, I will continue to work with the other members of the delegation to secure the necessary funding to move forward on current projects and promote new missions." Among the highlights of the Energy and Water appropriations bill:

• The bill makes the Savannah River National Lab eligible for Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) funds. Eligibility for these funds will ensure that the Lab is able to capitalize on the enormous innovative potential of the work going on there. This funding will provide the resources necessary for lab employees to pursue innovative technologies and expand the mission of the lab.
• $1.17 billion for environmental cleanup.
• $220 million in funding for construction of the MOX fuel fabrication facility. Last month, the Department of Energy held a ceremony to mark the beginning of work clearing and prepping the area for construction and operation of the MOX facility. When completed, the start of the art facility will turn weapons-grade plutonium into fuel to make electricity at a commercial nuclear power plant.
• $24 million for the pit disassembly and conversion facility.
• $10 million for the melt and dilute technology for excess weapons-grade plutonium.
• $1 million for energy security and diversification at Savannah River National Lab (SRNL).

Due to delays in the MOX program brought about by the lengthy negotiations over liability issues with the Russian Federation the conference report moves back the operative dates in the Thurmond-Graham language by three years. The bill eliminates funding for further development of a Modern Pit Facility. "In the face of strong opposition to MOX, the funding level we were able to secure is a big step forward, and I am hopeful Congressional leadership is learning the national significance of SRS," said Senator DeMint. "I'm disappointed with the decision to eliminate funding for further development of a Modern Pit Facility. There is no doubt in my mind that we need a MPF and that SRS has the expertise and infrastructure to support such a facility; however, I understand as good stewards of the taxpayer dollar we must determine the appropriate size and scope of the facility," said Barrett. "Additionally, we are committed to ensuring the MOX facility is constructed and operational in a timely fashion. Since the liability issues concerning MOX have been resolved this funding allows us to move forward." “The funding for MOX allows us to continue making progress in the construction and eventual operation of the facility,” said Graham. “Now that the liability issues and MOX budget have been addressed, I think we showed a good faith effort on our state’s part to update the schedule. The MPF decision was disappointing but I expect we may revisit this issue in the coming years as we determine our future nuclear deterrent needs. The biggest obstacle to MPF moving forward is that the Department of Defense will not tell us their pit needs. Without their input it will be difficult to justify a multi-billion dollar program.” #####