CLYBURN STATEMENT ON DRAFT GAO REPORT ON IRAQ
Washington, D.C. – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn released the following statement today regarding a draft report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that finds that the Iraqi government has failed to meet all but three of 18 Congressionally mandated benchmarks for political and military progress:
“A recently released report by the GAO reconfirms that the situation on the ground in Iraq remains dangerously dire for U.S. Armed Forces and Iraqi civilians as sectarian violence and an inept Iraqi government continue to impede the country’s prospects for peace and stability.
“The non-partisan report makes it abundantly clear that the Bush Administration’s strategy for stabilizing Iraq has failed and that a new course of direction is urgently needed. In order to prevent the conditions in Iraq from reaching an irrevocably disastrous state, it is absolutely imperative that the President and his advisors closely heed and value the assessments made in the GAO report.
“With over 3,000 U.S. casualties and several thousand Iraqi civilians having perished in this war, now is the time for the President and Congressional Republicans to work with Democrats in a bipartisan fashion in coming up with a viable solution to the increasingly precarious state of affairs that currently exist in Iraq.”
POLL: HUCKABEE SURGES IN IOWA, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SOUTH CAROLINA
Leads Fred Thompson in Iowa , N.H.; Easily Outdistances Brownback in All Three
Little Rock, AR – Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has surged to third place in the Republican presidential contest in Iowa, leading potential candidate Fred Thompson in that state and New Hampshire , according to an American Research Group poll released today.
Huckabee, who scored a stunning second-place in the Republican Party of Iowa straw poll on Aug. 11, received support from 14 percent of Iowans and 9 percent of New Hampshire Republicans in the new ARG poll. He had been at 1 percent in each state in July. Huckabee stands at 9 percent in South Carolina , up from 3 percent in July, and is tied with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for fourth place.
Thompson’s Iowa support remained stuck at 13 percent for the second month after peaking at 14 percent in June, according to the poll. He trails Huckabee in New Hampshire and is down from 13 percent in July to 8 percent. The former U.S. senator from Tennessee is also off his peak in South Carolina , down from 27 percent in July to 23 percent this month.
“Mike Huckabee clearly remains an underdog in the race, but he is the real surprise in the field. Republicans in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina – the three states most focused on the 2008 presidential contest – are sizing him up and they obviously like what they see. When they see him, meet him and hear them, they come away convinced that he ought to be in the top tier of candidates,” said Chip Saltsman, Huckabee’s national campaign manager. “That’s why he’s gaining momentum in all three crucial early states when other campaigns have stalled or are on a downward path.”
U.S. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas, who finished behind Huckabee in the straw poll, has no measurable support in Iowa , according to the poll. His peak in Iowa was 3 percent in June. Brownback’s support among likely New Hampshire GOP primary voters has remained at 1 percent since April. He is at 2 percent in South Carolina .
U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona, who was at 17 percent in Iowa in July, opted not to compete in the Iowa straw poll – considered to be the first test of the candidates’ organizational strength – after spending more than $25 million nationwide. He fell to 5 percent in Iowa , according to the ARG poll. In South Carolina, McCain, who was at 36 percent in South Carolina , is now at 12 percent, while Huckabee’s numbers are on the rise. McCain climbed 2 percent in New Hampshire in August, up from 10 percent to 12 percent but still down sharply from his April high of 29 percent.
Huckabee welcomed the good news: “Today’s new poll shows a growing momentum that we’ve felt on the ground for weeks. It also proves what voters across America know, that message matters. While I am truly encouraged by these upward trends in all Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina , I look forward to working even harder in the days and weeks to come.”
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Jim Rex Back to School tour continues with town hall meeting in Lancaster County
COLUMBIA * State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex is going to Lancaster on Tuesday, September 4, as part of a continuing statewide back to school tour aimed at building support for his reform efforts and discussing priorities for the 2008 legislative session.
The September 4 town hall meeting, sponsored by Parents for Public Schools of Lancaster County and Lancaster County School District, will begin at 6 p.m. at USC-Lancaster’s Carole Ray Dowling Center.
“We hope parents and teachers will come out to talk with Dr. Rex about the future of our public schools,” said Parents for Public Schools president Susan Knight. “We’re excited about his visiting our county, and we’re looking to forward sharing our questions and concerns with him.”
The town hall meeting will begin with Rex spending about 15 minutes outlining his reform platform and then answering questions from the audience for 45 minutes. Rex plans to tour several schools that afternoon with Lancaster County school superintendent Gene Moore.
Rex, who took office in January, has traveled around the state visiting public schools and talking with parents, teachers and citizens. During the back to school tour, he’s seeking support for a package of proposed legislation, regulations and modified policies to improve public education in South Carolina. The reform package would:
(1) Create a new system of fiscal accountability for South Carolina’s schools and school districts. Rex will seek authority to work with schools and districts to provide fiscal support and oversight and intervene if resources are not being managed effectively. He will seek incentives and resources to support consolidation of districts when it’s feasible and there’s community support to do so.
(2) Lay the groundwork for a new system of fair and equitable funding by addressing the way South Carolina raises and distributes all state revenues, with a special focus on public schools.
(3) Create a new system of public school choice that encourages and rewards innovation and allows parents, students, teachers, and schools more flexibility when choosing public education paths.
(4) Reform the 1998 Accountability Act to increase diagnostic testing, decrease costs, and reduce the amount time spent testing for accountability purposes.
(5) Create safer and healthier schools by reducing crime and disruption and improving the physical environments of our schools.
(6) Elevate the teaching profession with fair, results-based compensation reform, including a pay increase for teachers, the launch of a pilot program on team teaching, and a new, statewide public relations campaign aimed at changing the image of the profession.
The back-to-school tour schedule began in Spartanburg in mid-August and is continuing in communities across South Carolina.
South Carolina United Transportation Union Comes Out for Clinton
The South Carolina United Transportation Union today announced plans to support Senator Hillary Clinton in the upcoming Palmetto State Primary. The UTU endorsement includes roughly 650 active members in South Carolina and approximately 2,000 retirees statewide in the railroad, bus and public transit sectors.
“We have a history of picking winners early and Hillary is the best choice for a president that South Carolina’s working families can depend on in the White House. She has a track record of standing up for working families and now we get the chance to stand up for her,” Jack Ramsey, state director for UTU, said. “We’re endorsing her 100 percent, so we’re going to be helping spread the message around the state that Hillary has the right experience to lead from day one in office.”
In South Carolina, UTU has active locals in Abbeville,Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville and Spartanburg.
“Clinton’s detailed plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and her strong performance at the AFL-CIO Presidential forum in Chicago are powerful rallying points for South Carolina members of the UTU,” Ramsey said.
In early August, Hillary proposed a comprehensive plan to rebuild America’s infrastructure including a $10 billion emergency repair fund and other initiatives that could aid in addressing South Carolina’s $2.9 billion bridge-repair backlog. According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, 1,809 of South Carolina’s 8,330 bridges are substandard, with more than 1,000 of them deemed “structurally deficient.” In addition, nearly 800 South Carolina bridges do not meet federal lane-width or other service standards and are designated “functionally obsolete,” while another 138 bridges are unsound enough that the use of heavy vehicles over them is restricted. Ten bridges have been closed because they’ve been deemed unsafe, according to the DOT.
“I am honored to receive the support of the United Transportation Union,” Clinton said. “South Carolina’s workers have been invisible to this administration, and it’s time they had an advocate in the White House.”
National UTU leadership said this week they plan to encourage the union’s 125,000 active and retired members nationwide to support Hillary and other labor-friendly candidates in 2008.
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ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, “LEADERSHIP”
Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, “Leadership.” The ad highlights Governor Romney’s leadership in turning around the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, numerous companies and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With his proven experience running businesses and institutions, Governor Romney will bring his energy to changing Washington.
The ad will begin airing as part of the campaign’s rotation today in Iowa and New Hampshire. Script and viewing links are below.
Script For “Leadership” (TV:30):
ANNOUNCER: “An Olympics hit by scandal and deficits, he rescued them.
“He turned around dozens of companies and became a business legend.
“A state losing jobs, with huge deficits, Governor Mitt Romney turned it around – cutting spending, instead of raising taxes.
“At every step, he’s met extraordinary challenges. Mitt Romney – the energy and experience to turn around Washington.”
GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: “I’m Mitt Romney and I approved this message.”
To watch “Leadership,” please see: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=308409
AD FACTS: Script For “Leadership” (TV:30):
ANNOUNCER: “An Olympics hit by scandal and deficits, he rescued them.”
- The Associated Press: “Romney took over as head of Salt Lake’s Olympic organizing committee in February 1999 after it was revealed Salt Lake organizers doled out more than $1 million in cash and gifts to members of the International Olympic Committee to win the 2002 bid. Under Romney’s leadership, the Games were lauded as a critical success, a model of post-Sept. 11 security and turned a $100 million profit. Romney, a successful venture capitalist before the Games, wrote a book after titled ‘Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership and the Olympic Games.’” (Debbie Hummel, “Utah’s ‘Adopted Son’ Returns To State For Presidential Fundraiser,” The Associated Press, 2/21/07)
- Governor Romney Turned A $379 Million Deficit Into A $100 Million Profit. “As early as 1999, a financial crisis was looming: The Games were mired in a bribery scandal and were running a $379 million deficit. Romney was asked to step in, and he immediately slashed budgets and boosted sponsorships. And since the Games were held just months after Sept. 11, 2001, he oversaw a huge security apparatus. He now says it was one of the most difficult things he’d ever done, comparing it to ‘arranging 17 Super Bowls a day for 17 days.’ The Games ended up with a $100 million profit.” (Marcia Vickers, “The Republicans’ Mr. Fix-It,” Fortune Magazine, 6/27/07)
- The Boston Globe’s John Powers: Due To “Romney’s Energy, Optimism, And Executive/Entrepreneurial Skills, The Salt Lake Olympics … Appear Likely To Be A Huge Success.” “The IOC had forced out or was about to expel 10 members who had taken nearly $1 million worth of cash and gifts from the Salt Lake bidders. The local organizing committee was bleeding hundreds of millions of dollars of red ink, while would-be sponsors and donors, wary of being linked to tarnished Olympic rings, sat on their wallets. And Utahns who had celebrated in the streets when the games were awarded were sickened and angered. Now, thanks largely to Romney’s energy, optimism, and executive/entrepreneurial skills, the Salt Lake Olympics – barring an act of God or terrorism – appear likely to be a huge success.” (John Powers, “Golden Opportunity,” The Boston Globe, 2/3/02)
ANNOUNCER: “He turned around dozens of companies and became a business legend.”
- Governor Romney Has “A Solid Reputation In The Business Community For Turning Companies Around.” CNN’s RHONDA SCHAFFLER: “Romney had a solid reputation in the business community for turning companies around, like Staples, Domino’s Pizza and the Sports Authority.” (CNN’s “Business Unusual,” 1/27/02)
- Boston Business Journal: Romney “Made His Name As A Turnaround Man.” “Bain & Co. was a crowning victory for Romney, 47, who has made his name as a turnaround man. As chief executive of Bain Capital Inc., the venture group he was picked to launch back in 1984, he has backed and helped repair more than 50 companies. With an initial $14 million invested by the partners of Bain & Co., Bain Capital has since raised $500 million in four funds, pouring dollars into companies like Staples Inc., Brookstone and The Sports Authority.” (Beth Healy, “Romney Puts Skills In Business To Test,” Boston Business Journal, 6/10/94)
- Bloomberg’s Heidi Pryzbyla: “Romney’s business record is unmatched by the current crop of leading candidates.” (Heidi Pryzbyla, “Romney Finds Classmate Bush’s Management Lapses Unlikely Hurdle,” Bloomberg, 7/1/07)
- The Boston Globe’s Robert Gavin And Sacha Pfeiffer: “In time, Romney would lead the shaky start-up from a staff of seven people managing $37 million to 115 people managing $4 billion in assets. During Romney’s 15-year tenure, Bain Capital would post an astonishing record, on average doubling its return on realized investments every year.” (Robert Gavin and Sacha Pfeiffer, “Reaping Profit In Study, Sweat,” The Boston Globe, 6/26/07)
ANNOUNCER: “A state losing jobs, with huge deficits, Governor Mitt Romney turned it around – cutting spending, instead of raising taxes.”
- Governor Romney Closed The Nearly $3 Billion Shortfall Without Tax Increases. “When Mitt Romney became governor of Massachusetts in 2003, the state had a budget gap of almost $3 billion and was losing thousands of jobs a month. In Mr. Romney’s four-year tenure, the deficit was eliminated without raising the sales tax or the income tax, and since the labor slump hit bottom in December 2003, the state has gained 81,000 jobs.” (Pam Belluck, “Romney Candidacy Puts Massachusetts Economy In Spotlight,” The New York Times, 3/16/07)
- To Close The Budget Gap, Governor Romney Forced The Legislature To Pass “Tremendous Spending Cuts.” “Governor Romney receives credit for actual spending in FY 2003, even though he entered office halfway into the fiscal year, because of the tremendous spending cuts he forced down the Legislature’s throat in January of 2003. Facing a $650 million deficit he inherited from the previous administration, Romney convinced the unfriendly State Legislature to grant him unilateral power to make budget cuts and unveiled $343 million in cuts to cities, healthcare, and state agencies. This fiscal discipline continued in 2004, in which Romney continued to slash ‘nearly every part of state government’ to close a $3 billion deficit.” (The Club For Growth, “Mitt Romney’s Record On Economic Issues,” Press Release, 8/21/07)
- In The Four Budgets He Signed, Governor Romney Used The Line-Item Veto Or Program Reduction Power In An Attempt To Cut Spending By Nearly $1 Billion. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs No New Tax Budget In Time For New Fiscal Year,” Press Release, 6/30/03; Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Governor Mitt Romney Signs $22.402B Fiscal Year 2005 ‘No New Tax’ Budget,” Press Release, 6/25/04; Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Governor Mitt Romney Signs Into Law $23.8 Billion Budget For Fiscal Year ‘06,” Press Release, 6/30/05; Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Governor Mitt Romney Signs $25.2 Billion Fiscal Year 2007 State Budget,” Press Release, 7/8/06)
- The Club For Growth: Governor Romney “Imposed Much-Needed Fiscal Discipline On A Very Liberal Massachusetts Legislature.” (The Club For Growth, “Mitt Romney’s Record On Economic Issues,” Press Release, 8/21/07)
- Massachusetts Citizens For Limited Taxation Executive Director Barbara Anderson: “There was no one else out on the horizon and with the legislature almost entirely Democratic, we felt it was necessary to have a grown-up in the corner office. … And we were right to back him. He’s been a really good friend to the taxpayers.” (Shawn Macomber, “Mighty Mitt Romney,” The American Spectator, 3/06)
- Boston’s Pioneer Institute’s Steve Adams: “Without Romney, we would have been slapped with a lot of new taxes.” (John J. Miller, “Matinee Mitt,” National Review, 6/20/05)
ANNOUNCER: ”At every step, he’s met extraordinary challenges – Mitt Romney. The energy and experience to turn around Washington.” GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: “I’m Mitt Romney and I approved this message.”
To watch “Leadership,” please see: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=308409
Drew Theodore and 11 others join South Carolina Campaign Committee for Chris Dodd
Columbia, SC - Chris Dodd for President today announced the endorsement of Drew Theodore and the addition of 11 local leaders in the political, business and education communities to its South Carolina Campaign Committee. Chris Dodd’s team in South Carolina reflects Sen. Dodd’s unique ability to attract party loyalist and newcomers to the process, as well as business leaders and working families.
“We are extremely excited about these additions to Chris Dodd’s team here in South Carolina,” said State Senator Phil Leventis and former State Representative Joe Brown, co-chairs of Chris Dodd’s South Carolina Campaign. “As his message of bold leadership takes hold, Senator Dodd is building more and more support which translates into a strong organization across the country. We look forward to working with Drew and the other leaders to bring Dodd’s message to even more people in the Palmetto State.”
Theodore is president and owner of Theodore & Associates, based in Columbia. He founded the business in 1984 and later expanded into Summerville and Greenville. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Theodore has over 20 years of business experience and is active in many civic and professional organizations. He serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board for Branch Bank & Trust and is on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Independent Insurance Agents Association, where he was a former Chairman. From 2001 to 2004, he served on the Board of Commissioners of the State Housing Finance and Development Authority, serving as Vice-Chairman for two years. Theodore has also served on the Board of Directors for the Columbia Housing Authority the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of the Midlands and the Forest Lake Education Foundation. He is past president of numerous organizations including the Independent Insurance Agents of the Midlands and the Young Adult League. A rising star in South Carolina Democratic politics, Theodore was the Democratic candidate for Comptroller General in 2006.
With Senator Dodd, you get both leadership and proven experience on the tough issues of Iraq, economic stability, quality education, sustainable energy and affordable health care,” stated Theodore. “Chris Dodd understands the problems facing working families and he knows how to get things done. Chris Dodd is the Democrats’ best chance to beat any one of the candidates that the Republicans run against us.”
Theodore will join State Senator Phil Leventis of Sumter and former State Representative Joe Brown of Columbia as co-chairs of Chris Dodd’s South Carolina Campaign.
Other endorsements and campaign committee positions announced today include:
Hon. Paul Livingston of Columbia and John Presto of Rock Hill are co-chairing South Carolina Educators for Dodd. Livingston is currently a member of Richland County Council for District 4. He is a past Chairman of the Richland County Council and a former member and Chairman of the Richland County District One School Board. He is also a former member of the State Advisory Council for Vocational and Technical Education. He currently teaches psychology at Midlands Technical College, where is he is a previous recipient of the Teacher of the Year award. Presto, a former teacher, was Vice President for Administration and Planning at Winthrop College for almost ten years. He also founded and operated for 15 years Academic Challenge, a company that published quiz bowl questions. Presently, he works in real estate and serves on the Executive Committee of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
Frank Mood of Columbia will join Drew Theodore as South Carolina Business Leaders supporting Dodd. Mood is currently the Sr. Vice President and General Counsel at SCANA Corporation. A graduate of The Citadel, he was a First Lieutenant in the Army. He was the interim Dean at USC School of Law in 2003. He is also active on numerous professional and community boards, including the Columbia Urban League, Liberty Fellowship, the Citadel Foundation and American Bar Association.
Jami Koontz of Charleston and Elizabeth Vogt of Clemson are chairing South Carolina Women for Dodd. Koontz worked for eight years for former U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings in his Columbia and Charleston offices. She currently works in Charleston and is active in the community. Vogt worked for former U.S. Senator Wyche Fowler of Georgia in his Atlanta office. She is currently attending Clemson for her Masters in Public Administration and is active in local democratic campaigns.
Ike Holman of St. Matthews will join Sen. Phil Leventis to head up South Carolina Veterans for Dodd. Holman is a Vietnam era veteran and has been a community activist in Calhoun County for more than thirty years. He serves on the Calhoun County DSS Advisory Board and the Lower Savannah Workforce Development Board. Holman is 1st Vice President of the Calhoun Branch of the NAACP and the Calhoun County Democratic Party. He is retired from the SC Army National Guard and Albemarle Chemical Corporation.
Courtney Gibbes of Columbia and Peter Leventis of Columbia are chairing South Carolina Young Professionals for Dodd. Gibbes, originally from Hilton Head, is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and an inaugural graduate of the Charleston School of Law. She is the former 3rd Vice Chair of the Charleston County Democratic Party. She currently works in Columbia with the Richland County Public Defenders Office. Leventis, originally from Sumter, is a graduate of University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. He was a Secret Service agent in and New York, NY for four years before he returned to South Carolina and graduated from USC School of Law. He currently is an associate at McKay Law Firm in Columbia.
Sharon Ritter of Columbia is heading up South Carolina Small Business Owners for Dodd. Ritter is the owner of Critter’s Corner which specializes in personal shopping and event planning. She is also a certified wedding director. Ritter has also worked with H&R Block for 20 years. She has served on the boards of SC State Employees Association and SC Public Health Association. She is also active in numerous community organizations and campaigns.
Michael Cooper of Charleston and Ricky Harris of Whitmire are chairing South Carolina College Students for Dodd. Cooper recently graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in English. While attending school, he served as vice-president of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors fraternity and mentored students at James Simmons Elementary School. He also interned in Washington, DC for former U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings. Currently, Cooper is a volunteer for Charleston Mayor Joe Riley’s re-election campaign. Harris is a rising sophomore at Furman University in Greenville where he was elected Class Senator his freshman year and is a member of the Mediation Project and Director of Child Recreation for the Heller Service Corps. He spent the summer interning in Columbia for the Richland County CASA office for disadvantaged children.
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Congressman Barrett participates in $740,000 check presentation for Graniteville Specialty Fabrics
Graniteville, South Carolina, August 29, 2007—Today, Woodhead, LLC, the owners of Graniteville Specialty Fabrics shared their plans for the purchase of new equipment and the expansion of their facility in Graniteville, South Carolina with federal, state and local officials during a $740,000 check presentation from USDA Rural Development and Aiken Electric Cooperative.
Graniteville Specialty Fabrics plans to construct additional office space for their production facility in Graniteville. They will use a zero interest loan of $740,000 for the expansion and to purchase new boilers, communication equipment, plant lighting and environmental equipment. USDA Rural Development provided the loan to Aiken Electric Cooperative who in turn will provide a zero interest loan for ten years to Woodhead, LLC for economic development.
The loan marks an important step forward in the revitalization of Graniteville. The project site is located at the old Avondale Mills manufacturing facility at 511 Leitner Street in Graniteville.
Graniteville Specialty Fabrics produces a wide variety of fabrics for both apparel and industrial uses. The company offers more than 50 products for a variety of end uses, with a focus on awning and marine applications. The company’s two year plan builds on its technical expertise to enter highly specialized niche markets, as well as broadening the current market position of the company. The company anticipates the addition of another 20 to 30 jobs to the current staffing.
“This is great news for the Graniteville community and specifically the Woodhead property. We all remember the tragedy, and subsequent mill closure, the community has suffered over the past few years and it was been heartwarming to watch them come together to rebuild,” said Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 3). “There is still a lot of work to be done, and they can’t do it alone - a fact that USDA Rural Development and Aiken Electric Coop have clearly recognized. I thank them for their contribution to the community, this money will go a long way to create new jobs and bolster the local economy.”
“Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. is dedicated to our community and its economic development, including the revitalization of Graniteville as evidenced today by the $740,000 loan to Graniteville Specialty Fabrics,” said Gary Stooksbury, CEO of Aiken Electric Cooperative. “The cooperative has invested in excess of $5 million on economic development projects in our region and that’s just one of the ways Aiken Electric “makes real” our commitment to community. These efforts pay off in new jobs, increased tax base, expanded industry mix and opportunities for our children. We appreciate the contributions of everyone who helped make today a reality.”
Tee Miller, State Director for USDA Rural Development said, “Aiken Electric Cooperative and Woodhead are to be commended for working together with the Rural Development Business Program to promote economic development and help to revitalize rural communities such as Graniteville. I also want to thank our congressional delegation for their hard work and dedication in bringing federal dollars back into South Carolina.
AEC is a not-for-profit, Touchstone Energy electric cooperative, and serves more than 42,000 members in a nine-county service territory. Along with more than 600 Touchstone Energy partners across the nation, Aiken Electric is committed to the core values of integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The Touchstone Energy symbol is an assurance that Aiken Electric is a community-minded electric cooperative providing high standards of service for customers large and small. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at http://www.aikenco-op.org.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Rural Development promotes economic development by providing loan and grant programs to finance and foster growth in business development, homeownership, and critical community and technology infrastructure. For more information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, contact the area office at (803) 649-4221, or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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Grand Strand Women Join Team Hillary
Cite Clinton’s Experience As Preparing Her for The Job
Five Grand Strand women leaders announced today their support of U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton to be the next President, praising Clinton’s leadership and experience as the best choice for South Carolina and specifically the Grand Strand region.
“My support of Hilary Clinton is based upon her experience, ability and vision. Senator Clinton’s dedication to women, children, and families is unparalleled and her commitment to restore America’s standing in foreign policy and improve upon domestic programs is exactly what our country needs at this time,” Sarah McCollum, president of the Horry County Democratic Women’s Club said.
Grand Strand Women for Hillary had its first organizational meeting July 24 with approximately 50 women in attendance. The meeting was led by National Campaign Advisor Ann Lewis. The group has since been preparing to organize across the Grand Strand region to turn out the vote in the Democratic Primary for Hillary Clinton.
“We’re going to get to work. Over the next six months, we’re going to be spreading the message from person-to-person that Hillary Clinton is the right choice for our country and she’s the right choice for the Grand Strand region and our state because her time in the White House and in the Senate have given her the tools to immediately go to work on the problems we face,” Grand Strand business leader and President of Wordsmith Incorporated Public Strategies Mary Eaddy said.
Women from the Grand Strand region joining the Clinton campaign today include McCollum, Eaddy, former Horry County Democratic Party Chair and two-term former City Council member Mary Jeffcoat, Grand Strand area hotel and hospitality entrepreneur Dorothy Anderson, and social activist Mary Riley.
“Hillary has visited over 82 countries worldwide, and spent over 30 years working on policies to help families, women and children,” Jeffcoat said. “She can effectively restore America’s respect in the world and get our allies to work with us.”
The Hillary campaign’s South Carolina state co-chair, Aiken Councilwoman Lessie Price, said the experience and leadership amassed amongst the Grand Strand group is key to the campaign.
“This is a significant momentum builder for the Hillary campaign in the Grand Strand region, and part of a long-term effort by the campaign,” Price said. “This group includes industry leaders, entrepreneurs, civic leaders and party leadership all getting behind Hillary, bringing their own unique talents and leadership to the campaign.”
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GOVERNOR ROMNEY KICKS OFF SOUTH CAROLINA BUS TOUR
Boston, MA – The Mitt Mobile will make its South Carolina debut this week as Governor Mitt Romney travels to the Palmetto State. On Thursday, August 30, and Friday, August 31, Governor Romney will campaign in seven cities in South Carolina. The following events will be open to the media:
Thursday, August 30, 2007:
8:00 a.m. Governor Romney Hosts an “Ask Mitt Anything” in Myrtle Beach
Crown Reef Resort
2913 South Ocean Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC
Note: A mult-box will be available.
10:45 a.m. Governor Romney Holds a Media Availability
Sheraton Hotel
4770 Goer Drive
North Charleston, SC
Note: A mult-box will be available.
11:00 a.m. Governor Romney Hosts an “Ask Mitt Anything” in North Charleston
Sheraton Hotel
4770 Goer Drive
North Charleston, SC
Note: A mult-box and press riser will be available.
1:15 p.m. Governor Romney Hosts an “Ask Mitt Anything” in Columbia
Adluh Flour
803 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC
Note: A mult-box will be available.
2:15 p.m. Governor Romney Holds a Media Availability
Adluh Flour
803 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC
Note: A mult-box will be available.
Friday, August 31, 2007:
8:00 a.m. Governor Romney Hosts an “Ask Mitt Anything” in Aiken
Aiken Center for the Arts
122 Laurens Street, SW
Aiken, SC
Note: A mult-box will be available.
10:15 a.m. Governor Romney Hosts a Meet-and-Greet in Newberry
Cabana Café
1215 Boyce Street
Newberry, SC
Note: Be prepared for natural light and sound.
12:15 p.m. Governor Romney Hosts an “Ask Mitt Anything” in Greenville
Stax Omega Diner
72 Orchard Park Drive
Greenville, SC
Note: A mult-box will be available.
1:00 p.m. Governor Romney Holds a Media Availability
Stax Omega Diner
72 Orchard Park Drive
Greenville, SC
Note: A mult-box will be available.
CLYBURN ON THE TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE KATRINA
WASHINGTON, DC – In observance of the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Congressman James E. Clyburn, House Majority Whip and Chair of the House Democratic Task Force on Hurricane Katrina, released the following statement:
“Two years ago, one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in our nation’s history occurred as the storm known as Hurricane Katrina ravaged and destroyed significant portions of our Gulf Coast. This fierce hurricane’s ruinous force and the failure of the levees left a tragic trail of death and destruction as neighborhoods were flooded, homes decimated, and public infrastructures obliterated.
“Despite the Gulf Coast region’s obvious need for immediate aid and long-term assistance in overcoming Katrina’s cataclysmic aftermath, the initial response of the Bush Administration and the then Republican-led Congress were inefficient and ineffective. The American public and large segments of the international community watched as many Gulf Coast residents endlessly waited in hazardous conditions for help to arrive.
“Fortunately, with the recent change of leadership and new direction of the U.S. Congress, significant progress is being made in addressing both the urgent and long-term needs of the Gulf Coast region. Already this year, Democrats have passed legislation that provides Gulf Coast communities with billions of dollars in funding for levee reconstruction, school rebuilding projects, and public safety initiatives. In addition, Democrats remain steadfastly united and committed to continuing to pass legislation that helps to remedy the region’s housing and public infrastructure crisis.
“While Democrats have made significant strides this Congressional session in aiding Gulf Coast recovering efforts, our task of fully restoring the region to its pre-Katrina functioning level remains a tenured work in progress. Many tough challenges lie ahead in bringing prosperity and a sustained stability back to the Gulf Coast region, but Democrats know what we’re up against and we’re energized, resolute, and ready to fully fulfill our obligation to those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
“As Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Hurricane Katrina, I will continue seeking to ensure that Congress honors its promises and establishes a strong and productive partnership for the future with those victimized by this hurricane’s unyielding wrath.”
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