Congressman Lindsey Graham to be Speaker at
Tri-County Technical College's Spring Commencement

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/7/99

PENDLETON --- Congressman Lindsey Graham will address the graduating class of 1999 at Tri-County Technical College's 36th annual commencement at Clemson's Littlejohn Coliseum.

More than 330 graduates will be recognized at the annual spring commencement scheduled for Sunday, May 16, at 3 p.m. In addition to families and guests of the graduates, alumni and friends of the college are invited to attend the ceremony.

Congressman Graham is the first Republican to represent South Carolina's Third District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1877. During his two terms in Congress, Graham has worked to bring fiscal responsibility to the federal government, to eliminate the excessive tax burden on American families and to reduce federal regulations which restrict local governments and businesses. He is a member of three House committees, including Education and the Workforce, Judiciary and National Security.

His political career began in 1992 when he was elected to represent Oconee County's Second District in the South Carolina House of Representatives where he served until 1994.

His military career began in 1982 when he joined the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, he served in the Base Legal Office and as Area Defense Counsel. In 1984 he was assigned to Rhein Main Air Force Base in Germany and served as a chief prosecutor for the United States Air Force, Europe, until 1988. In 1990 he was called to active duty in both Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He received the Meritorius Service Medal for Active Duty Tour in Europe. From 1989 until his election, he served as Base Staff Judge Advocate at McEntire Air National Guard Base in Eastover. He maintains his status as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserves.

He earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of South Carolina in 1977 and pursued a master of arts in public administration during 1978. He was awarded a Juris Doctorate in 1981. He established a private law practice in 1988 and served as the attorney for the town Central and assistant attorney for Oconee County.

The Seneca resident is the son of the late F.J. and Millie Graham.
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