[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 50 (Friday, April 22, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4150-S4151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE CAREER OF SECRETARY JAMES ELLENBECKER

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, it is with great honor that I 
recognize the leadership and many achievements of South Dakota 
Secretary of Social Services James Ellenbecker. Secretary Ellenbecker 
embodies the highest qualities of public service and has deservedly 
earned the respect and admiration of all those who have had the 
opportunity to work with him. After 35 years of public service, 
Secretary Ellenbecker is retiring as South Dakota's Secretary of Social 
Services, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy.
  Secretary Ellenbecker began his career with the South Dakota 
government in 1970, and has since dedicated his life to serving the 
citizens of South Dakota. Working for the State Planning Agency and 
then the Department of Labor, he ultimately found himself in the 
Department of Social Services after providing then-Governor Bill 
Janklow with information he urgently needed late one Friday afternoon. 
Following their encounter, Governor Janklow appointed James Secretary 
of Social Services in 1980, a post he has held ever since.
  During his 25 year tenure as secretary, under the leadership of four 
different governors, Secretary Ellenbecker played a vital role in 
enhancing South Dakota's Social Services infrastructure. As head of one 
of the largest and most complex agencies in the state, he promoted 
innovations which significantly enhanced its treatment of the elderly, 
children and single parent families. His influence on South Dakota's 
1988 Elderly Initiative resulted in a responsive, efficient, and cost-
effective long-term care system for the elderly, thus easing the 
burdens many families face both financially and emotionally. Under this 
new plan, more aged residents could live at home and maintain their 
independence.
  Secretary Ellenbecker is also responsible for transforming South 
Dakota's welfare program. As a result of his vision and dedication, 
South Dakota has one of the most successful child support programs in 
the country. His strategy improved the lives of countless single 
parents by holding absent parents financially responsible for their 
children. Similarly, 67,000 uninsured children in South Dakota gained 
access to health care as a result of Secretary Ellenbecker's diligent 
management of South Dakota's medical services program.
  I had the privilege of working with Secretary Ellenbecker during my 
years of service in the South Dakota Legislature. Throughout my years 
in Congress, when constituents contacted my office with issues 
involving the South Dakota Department of Social Services, I could 
always rely upon Secretary

[[Page S4151]]

Ellenbecker to provide a thorough review of the situation and supply a 
detailed response to my questions and the issues raised by the 
constituents. I appreciated his willingness to share insight into 
issues affecting his department and to coordinate briefings with my 
staff. Numerous South Dakotans and their families have benefited over 
the years from our working partnership, and I commend his tireless 
dedication to his agency and to the people of South Dakota.
  I am honored to share Secretary Ellenbecker's accomplishments with my 
colleagues, and I publicly commend and thank him for his excellent 
service to South Dakota. I wish Jim the very best, along with his wife 
Kathy and their two children, Bradley and Ryon.

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