Senator John Thune honored Clarence Wolf Guts during the National Indian Education Association’s Native Languages Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. today. Senator Thune, along with Senator Tim Johnson, presented Mr. Wolf Guts with a star quilt and spoke about his courageous efforts as a Sioux Code Talker during World War... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today received notice that the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) will announce later today its decision to immediately release CRP acres in 20 South Dakota counties for emergency haying and grazing. Senator Thune made a call to USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today congratulated the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department in Pierre for being awarded the 2006 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which is given to 15 employers nationwide who have gone above and beyond in supporting their employees who voluntarily serve in the National... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that South Dakota will receive $500,000 from the Office of Grants and Training Preparedness Directorate in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of the 2006 Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP). “It is important that we continue to be vigilant about addressing the security... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today congratulated Bruce Knight, a native of Gann Valley, on his nomination by President Bush to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and a Member of the Commodity Credit Corporation. “I want to congratulate Bruce on this well deserved nomination,” Thune said. “Bruce... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that the United States Department of Education has established the state-by-state requirements for the new Academic Competitiveness Grants and the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants. Beginning July 1, qualified Pell Grant-eligible students can start applying for these new grants that... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune, member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the announcement by Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson that the stolen computer and hard drive containing the names and Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans and active duty personnel have been recovered.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide $1,963,000 in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funding for farmers and ranchers suffering from drought conditions in 18 South Dakota counties. “This is a good start at real drought relief that is badly... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reported that 120,048 of the 125,808 Medicare beneficiaries in South Dakota have registered for the Medicare Part D program, a 95 percent participation rate. “This is a positive sign for this program,” said Thune. “Many... Continue Reading
Charles Whitepipe, Sr., a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and a Sioux Code Talker in World War II, passed away Monday, June 26, 2006. Whitepipe, Sr. was one of the two living Sioux Code Talkers who then-Congressman Thune worked to recognize with the Congressional Gold Medal. “I am saddened... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that important funding he requested for South Dakota has been included in the 2007 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The bill, which was reported out by the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee includes $10.5 million for South Dakota that was not included in the House... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today voted in favor of a Constitutional Amendment that would allow Congress to prohibit the desecration of the American Flag. “Many of our veterans have stood in harm’s way around the world to protect everything that the American Flag represents. The American Flag has been a part... Continue Reading
