[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO SUSAN RANDALL

 Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, today I wish to 
celebrate and honor the service of Dr. Susan Randall upon her 
retirement as executive director of South Dakota Voices for Children.
  Dr. Randall's career began in education. She spent 2 years in 
Centerville, SD, as a high school English and speech teacher. Susan 
continued her commitment to young people by going on to work in higher 
education, teaching sociology. She entered the political realm after a 
successful bid for Sioux Falls city commissioner, a position she held 
from 1986 to 1988. After her time at city hall, Dr. Randall worked for 
Turnabout, a community organization serving South Dakota's 
underprivileged children and families. She furthered her dedication to 
the youth of South Dakota by volunteering with South Dakota Voices for 
Children, using her expertise to help them to secure grants. In 1999, 
Dr. Randall became the executive director of the organization.
  Dr. Randall's 13-year tenure as executive director of South Dakota 
Voices for Children has been marked by many victories. She fought 
tenaciously to reduce teen smoking, with great success; initiated a 
campaign in support of Starting Strong, a prekindergarten pilot program 
for low-income children; and spearheaded an effort to improve 
conditions for juvenile offenders. Dr. Randall was recognized as a 
champion for South Dakota youth by the Associated School Boards of 
South Dakota with their Bell Award, the highest honor that can be 
conferred on a non-school board member. Throughout her career Dr. 
Randall has been a tireless advocate for South Dakota's youth. I 
greatly value her advocacy and expertise and she has frequently met 
with me and my staff over the years, keeping me apprised of the most 
pressing issues facing South Dakota's children.
  Dr. Randall and her husband Mark Sanderson plan to start a business 
growing herbs and flowers on their 80-acre property in Brookings County 
under the name Deer Creek Farms. I am pleased to hear that in 
retirement Susan will fulfill this long-held dream.
  Dr. Randall has been a determined fighter for the health and well-
being of South Dakota's children. I wish Dr. Randall all the best in 
retirement and the new business venture.

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