[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              DEAN MEINEN

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to publicly recognize Dean 
Meinen of my D.C. staff on his contributions and accomplishments to my 
office and the State of South Dakota. For years, Dean Meinen has served 
as my economic development director. He is leaving my office to go work 
with Strategic Marketing Innovations, which represents science and 
technology firms throughout the country.
  I know first hand that Dean has done a great deal to enhance 
opportunity and prosperity all across South Dakota. He is an 
extraordinarily talented person with a great deal of energy and 
ambition. Dean is not only a great friend, but a well-respected staffer 
throughout the U.S. Senate. He has earned the respect and admiration of 
all those who have had the opportunity to work with him. His passion 
and love for his work have improved the lives of countless South 
Dakotans. Dean's friendly demeanor and wealth of knowledge have helped 
him develop close relationships with his colleagues and with community 
leaders throughout our State. His tireless effort to dig for details 
and explore all sides of particular issues reflects both his skill and 
his dedication to his work.
  I first met Dean when he was a fresh-faced young man that I hired for 
an entry-level mail processing job. I was impressed by his enthusiasm, 
his belief in the good people of South Dakota, and his political 
abilities that were developed well beyond his years. A few years later, 
I asked him to run my 1994 reelection campaign. After the campaign was 
over, I hired him back to do legislative work in my congressional 
office. For the past several years, he has served as my economic 
development director and has worked very hard to advance South Dakota's 
prosperity and to diversify our economy.
  Dean's departure is a huge loss to South Dakota, and I personally 
know that he struggled with the decision to leave my office. His kind 
of leadership and character is exactly what the economic development 
community needs to evolve and succeed in the future. I wish but the 
best for him on all his exciting new challenges and opportunities. It 
is with great honor that I share his impressive accomplishments with my 
colleagues.

                          ____________________