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 the Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC) being named a national lab. Due to a scheduling conflict, U.S. Senator Graham (R-South Carolina) was unable to attend today’s announcement ceremony at Savannah River Site (SRS). A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Graham remained in Washington to attend the Iraqi prisoner abuse hearing with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and General Richard Myers. He said: “The national lab designation is like going from single A ball to the major leagues. The potential research and development opportunities that could come to SRS and South Carolina from this new designation are staggering and on the cutting-edge of technology. “For the last ten years, I have been working along with members of our congressional delegation and the SRS community to ensure a bright, post-Cold War future for SRS. We’ve had many accomplishments and some disappointments along the way. However, SRTC being designated a national laboratory is the best news and one of the most significant events for the future of SRS since I came to Congress. “Secretary Abraham has done more for SRS than any other DOE secretary I’ve ever worked with. He recognizes the important role SRS does and can play for DOE and the nation. “Governor Sanford’s efforts to work with DOE and to view SRS as a state asset were indispensable in helping achieve this designation. Unlike his predecessor, Gov. Sanford has worked in a cooperative fashion to make sure SRS is fully utilized for our state and nation. “Our congressional delegation has always worked as a team when it comes to SRS. I appreciate the efforts Congressman Gresham Barrett has made in the House to make sure SRSs’ assets are known to those in Congress. “Today’s designation made by Secretary Abraham is one of the highlights of my last ten years in trying to ensure a bright future for SRS. What a great day for the Site, local community and state of South Carolina.” #####