[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 11390-11391]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING GRATITUDE AND THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS 
                    REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOUTH DAKOTA

  (Ms. HERSETH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my fellow Members of the 
United States House of Representatives for that gracious and warm 
welcome. I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) for that 
very kind and generous introduction. I thank Senators Daschle and 
Johnson for taking the time to be here with me and my family today. I 
also thank another native South Dakotan, Jeff Trandahl, our Clerk here 
in the House, for all of his work and the work of his office. And I 
thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to be sworn in at the earliest 
opportunity so that the people of South Dakota can once again have 
their voice in this great Chamber.
  I would also like to thank our Secretary of State in South Dakota, 
Chris Nelson, who certified the election with great speed so that the 
interest of our State could be represented in this distinguished body. 
I would also like to say a grateful thank you to the staff of former 
Congressman Bill Janklow, who have continued to serve these past 
several months and have been true to the welcoming spirit of South 
Dakota.
  There are too many to thank for this great honor: my grandparents, 
especially my Grampa Ralph Stiles, who is here with me today, who gave 
me his unconditional love and support; my parents, the strongest people 
I know who taught me to reach across disagreements and work for a 
common good; and the people of South Dakota, to whom I pledge that I 
will do everything I can to represent them honorably and to always do 
what is best for our entire State.
  And lastly, while the months and years ahead are filled with great 
possibilities, the unsettling truth is that my standing here today was 
born from a tragedy. The opportunity for me to represent my State would 
not have happened if not for the heartache suffered by many. That 
reminder will be with me always.

[[Page 11391]]

  But from great sorrow can come new beginnings for my State at this 
time in our Nation's history, for all of us as a people. I am humbled 
by this moment and by the trust and responsibility that South Dakota 
has placed in me. I will do my best, and I will always remember why I 
am here.
  In the language of the Lakota people, ``pilamaya,'' thank you, and 
may God bless this great House of the people.

                          ____________________