[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15297-15298]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING SOUTH DAKOTA'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, today, I join with my 
colleague, the junior Senator from South Dakota, in celebrating the 
birth of our home State, which entered the union 125 years ago on 
November 2. I'm a fourth generation South Dakotan, and my great-
grandfather was a homesteader in what was then known as the Dakota 
Territory. As I have learned growing up in Canton and from the 
generations of my family that came before me, being a South Dakotan 
instills in oneself a unique kind of work ethic and a drive to do good 
unto others.
  South Dakotans know how to deal with adversity and they know how to 
help each other when disaster strikes. Last year, a devastating 
blizzard hit much of western South Dakota, causing millions of dollars 
in damage and killing tens of thousands of head of livestock. Without 
blinking an eye, neighbors were out helping neighbors who lost power. 
They donated their time and money to help ranchers who lost their 
livelihoods. Recovery would not have been possible without the inherent 
attitude that South Dakotans have to help one another.
  South Dakotans also have a lot to celebrate this year. The ag 
industry has driven our economy, creating jobs and spurring economic 
development in rural communities. Our State also boasts some of the 
Nation's most popular tourist destinations including the Badlands, the 
Black Hills National Forest, the world's only Corn Palace, and some of 
the best pheasant hunting in the country. Mount Rushmore in the Black 
Hills also symbolizes democracy and enables all Americans to remember 
and celebrate our history. The Crazy

[[Page 15298]]

Horse monument, which is still a work in progress, honors the legendary 
Lakota warrior. South Dakota is also home to nine Native American 
tribes, each having its own distinct cultures and traditions.
  There is an awful lot to be proud of in our State, from the attitude 
we have as individuals to what we have built during our 125 year 
history. Throughout this past year, South Dakotans have taken part in a 
number of activities to celebrate our State's history, heritage, and 
culture, and those celebrations will continue in the weeks ahead. I am 
honored to play just a small role in this celebration by joining with 
my colleague in offering this resolution, and I urge all of our 
colleagues to join us in celebrating the birth of our State.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 566, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A Resolution (S. Res. 566) celebrating the 125th 
     anniversary of the State of South Dakota.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. THUNE. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 566) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

                          ____________________