Every day gives us a new opportunity to celebrate the loved ones in our lives, but Mother’s Day is a special occasion. None of us would be here without our mothers, and their love and guidance stays with us throughout our lives, even if they are no longer with us.... Continue Reading
South Dakota’s long winter is finally drawing to a close, and this month we will celebrate Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. But before we lock the schoolhouse door and head to the picnics, swimming pools, and parades, we should pause to remember what Memorial Day is all about:... Continue Reading
The growth of the renewable fuels industry is an economic success story for South Dakota and much of rural America, and I will continue to do all I can to support this alternative energy industry. Our nation’s energy policy is at a crossroads, and biofuels should be a significant part... Continue Reading
Easter is a time to celebrate with family, and I was fortunate to be able to do so in South Dakota. With the U.S. Senate being out of session, I spent a great deal of time traveling around South Dakota and talking to people across the state. Even as many... Continue Reading
Sometimes people, myself included, forget loved ones’ birthdays or important anniversaries. History students complain about the memorization of names and dates, and come test time something always seems to slip through the cracks. Of course, some dates are not celebrated like birthdays and anniversaries, but are nonetheless remembered. For most... Continue Reading
In an effort to support individuals and families that are affected by autism, the Autism Society of America has designated April as National Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a developmental neurological disability that impacts social development and communication skills. According to a 2007 report by the Centers for Disease Control,... Continue Reading
Americans are getting a clearer picture of the Obama Administration’s budget proposal, and people across South Dakota and the nation are seeing that it unfortunately spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much. Increased taxation and borrowing are distressing enough, but the Administration’s plan to raid critical national... Continue Reading
For America to achieve energy independence, we must work to diversify our energy sources. I have worked throughout my years in Congress to promote energy opportunities in South Dakota such as wind energy production, biodiesel, and corn ethanol, and I believe there is more that we can do to grow,... Continue Reading
One lesson we can all take to heart as we work through the current economic downturn is the importance of not borrowing more money than we can repay. While South Dakota has largely been insulated from the home foreclosure crisis, we have seen what happens when individuals live beyond their... Continue Reading
Congress is preparing to explore reform of the U.S. health care system, and I believe that it will be a worthwhile debate. There are many ideas for how to expand health care coverage for Americans and how to reduce costs, and many of these proposals will be contentious. There are,... Continue Reading
In South Dakota and across our country, we have seen the way that communities come together in tough times to help those who are suffering. There is no question that today we face serious economic challenges, and I am optimistic that we will pull through. In the meantime, however, there... Continue Reading
While Americans are rightly proud of all the liberties we have secured through our Constitution and Bill of Rights, few freedoms are more cherished than that of free speech. We are all entitled to our own opinions, and I do not believe that the government should stand in the way... Continue Reading
