I have found that when you ask a non-South Dakotan what they associate our state with, most of the time they respond, “Mount Rushmore.” This makes sense. We are the Mount Rushmore State; it’s written on our flag. For many who call our state home, however, another notable icon is... Continue Reading
There are few symbols of the cost of our freedom as potent as the Gold Star service flag, which adorns the homes of those families who have lost a loved one in service to our country. Every year, our nation takes the last Sunday in September to honor those families,... Continue Reading
When a person is in good health it can be easy to forget that there are many people in South Dakota and across the nation who overcome disabilities every day. As a Senator, I have the opportunity to meet with various groups representing Americans with disabilities, and I never cease... Continue Reading
Mark Twain once wrote, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Many South Dakotans surely know, or are themselves, people who embody Twain’s adage. Like many people my age, I am starting to consider exactly what these words mean as I discover... Continue Reading
As I return to the Senate after spending most of August traveling around South Dakota, I am more convinced than ever that Congress must act quickly to pass meaningful legislation without succumbing to the temptation of waiting until after the November election to come up with solutions. Like most Americans,... Continue Reading
Even though I know thousands of South Dakota parents are going through the same thing, somehow that doesn’t make it any easier. This week, my wife Kimberley and I joined the ranks of the empty nesters. We dropped our youngest daughter Larissa off at college, and in that simple act,... Continue Reading
As I have traveled across South Dakota this month, I have found the number one issue on the minds of South Dakotans continues to be the high cost of energy. For many rural South Dakotans who must travel great distances for work or school, the cost of fuel hits especially... Continue Reading
South Dakota wheat farmers, so far in 2008, have been blessed with one of the most abundant harvests ever, with bin-busting record winter and spring wheat yields being reported across all areas of the state in August. Adequate to surplus rainfall has fallen across much of South Dakota this spring... Continue Reading
There are many things that make living in South Dakota’s smaller towns so special. The peace and gentle pace of life cannot be matched anywhere else. There are, however, several challenges facing small towns in South Dakota, and one of them is access to quality and affordable health care. It... Continue Reading
In recent weeks I have used this space to share what I have been doing, both in Washington and in South Dakota, to lead Congress in taking action on high gas prices. I am pleased to announce that the bipartisan “Gang of 10,” which I helped form, has unveiled a... Continue Reading
For many South Dakotans, including myself, summer road trips are a quintessential memory. Whether it was when I was a boy or now as a dad, loading up the car for an adventure has always been an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, high gasoline prices are forcing many South Dakotans to forego... Continue Reading
Partisan political discourse is nothing new in America, but that does not mean that members of Congress can’t reach across the aisle to find solutions to critical challenges that face our nation. In particular, I believe that there is room for such cooperation in addressing record high energy costs, even... Continue Reading
