“The City of Columbia joins South Carolinians in mourning the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham. We extend our deepest condolences to his sister, Darline, his family, his dedicated staff, and the countless friends, veterans, colleagues, and constituents whose lives were touched by his career in public service.
For more than 30 years in elected office, Senator Graham served South Carolina with honor after first serving our nation in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps. His life was defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the people of our state.
Although his work often placed him on the world stage, Senator Graham never lost sight of home. He was a tireless champion for Columbia, working across party lines with our congressional delegation, state leaders, and local officials whenever our community needed an advocate. His leadership helped secure critical federal support for the Assembly Street Railroad Separation Project, including congressional appropriations and letters of support for federal grants. He also helped advance improvements to the Columbia Canal and Headgates, secured funding for Harden Street, supported infrastructure investments tied to Scout Motors, and worked tirelessly to help Columbia receive long-awaited FEMA funding following the devastating 2015 floods, federal assistance that took nearly a decade to bring across the finish line.
Senator Graham believed progress was achieved through partnership, not partisanship. Time and again, he put the needs of South Carolina above politics, and Columbia is stronger because of it.
On behalf of the City of Columbia, we are profoundly grateful for Senator Graham’s friendship, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our capital city. His legacy will live on in the projects he helped make possible, the opportunities he created, and the example he set as a statesman who answered every call to serve. He will be deeply missed, but his impact on Columbia and South Carolina will endure for generations to come.”
– Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City of Columbia
