[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 79 (Friday, May 7, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING PROFESSOR MICHAEL ROCHE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUSTY JOHNSON

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 7, 2021

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Professor Michael Roche of Vermillion as the first recipient of the 
Spirit of South Dakota Award.
  The Spirit of South Dakota Award was created to celebrate and honor 
South Dakotans that display unusual perseverance, compassion, and 
innovation, and are beloved by their community.
  Michael Roche has been a professor at the University of South Dakota 
since 1974 where he taught courses on criminal justice and criminal 
law. During his nearly fifty years of teaching, Roche has made a 
lasting impact on students and faculty alike. Among his list of 
impressive accomplishments, he was named the 2001 South Dakota 
Professor of the year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of 
Teaching.
  Roche is also the author of numerous books and articles on the 
criminal justice system and worked extensively inside the South Dakota 
penal system. I can say with certainty that South Dakota's criminal 
justice system is better off because of his work.
  While Professor Roche may be retiring from USD, he is leaving behind 
a legacy in the halls of USD and in the hearts of his students. 
Professor Roche truly exemplifies the Spirit of South Dakota and I'm 
honored to present him with the first award.

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