Undoing Historical Wrongs to Our Native American Citizens
By Sen. Mike Rounds 

Imagine a scenario today in which the federal government, with no due process, forcibly removes children of a specific race from their homes and places them into a boarding school more than a thousand miles away from their family and friends. Or imagine the outcry if the federal government were to subject a certain race of citizens into forced labor as a condition of receiving benefits he or she has a treaty obligation to receive. Such patronizing superiority would not be tolerated in today’s society, and there would be a public outcry against such blatant discrimination. Yet these are examples of federal laws which are still on the books today with regard to our Native American citizens. It is time to officially remove these historical wrongs from the books.

In April 2016, I introduced the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act, or the RESPECT Act, and it recently passed unanimously out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The RESPECT Act would reverse a list of outdated, offensive laws against Native American citizens in the United States. In addition to laws that would allow for the forced removal of Native American Children who can be forced into boarding schools and subjecting Indians into forced labor, a law currently exists today where the president is authorized to declare all treaties with such tribes “abrogated if in his opinion any Indian tribe is in actual hostility to the United States.” Another statute calls for the “withholding of moneys or goods on account of intoxicating liquors,” meaning Native Americans can be denied annuities, money or goods if they are found under the influence of alcohol.

These and other statutes that would be repealed under the RESPECT Act are a sad reminder of the hostile aggression and overt racism displayed by the early federal government toward Native Americans as the government attempted to “assimilate” them into what was considered “modern society.” In many cases, these laws are more than a century old and do nothing but continue the stigma of subjugation and paternalism from that time period. Clearly, there is no place in our legal code for such laws. The idea that these laws were ever considered is disturbing, but the fact that these laws remain on our books – is at best – an oversight. I thank Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) for all he has done to move the RESPECT Act forward, as well as Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) for introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

During a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing in June, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Chairman David Flute of South Dakota testified in support of the RESPECT Act, saying that “Native Americans should all be fully included in America as U.S. citizens and citizens of our Native Nations, with respect for our rights to Freedom, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”  I could not agree more. While we can’t change history, we should do everything we can to make the future better for all Americans. The RESPECT Act is but one long-overdue step we can take in that ongoing effort. 

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Don’t Wait
By Rep. Kristi Noem 

Mary Ellen Dirksen grew up in what most people would consider a pretty typical Midwest family.  Her close-knit family of four looked picture perfect from the outside – and for the most part, it looked just as perfect from the inside.  But a little more than a decade ago, Mary Ellen’s big brother – a handsome, intelligent guy who loved basketball and hot fudge sundaes – died by suicide.

South Dakota has one of the nation’s highest suicide rates, and in recent years, the state has seen the number of attempted suicides increase considerably.  As one of the state’s leading causes of death, most families or communities, to one extent or another, have felt the blow of suicide.  

Despite knowing how far reaching suicide is, we too often lean heavily on narrow stereotypes to determine the type of people most likely to be impacted by mental illnesses.  But mental illness and suicidal thoughts can afflict anyone, which is one of the reasons I sponsored legislation designating September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  

In her book, “The Swing Set,” which describes the grief and healing she experienced after her brother’s death, Mary Ellen explains: “I had known [my brother] wasn’t dressing well, that he looked unshaven, that he was irritable and that this was causing turmoil in our family.  I had known he wasn’t leaving the house, that he didn’t take interest in life like he used to, and that his worldview had become pessimistic.  But I had never really known anyone who suffered from depression, actual depression, especially not someone handsome and capable like my brother.” 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness adds to the list of characteristics Mary Ellen saw in her brother, pointing to increased alcohol and drug use; talking, writing, or thinking about death; and impulsive or reckless behavior as other warning signs. 

While anyone can be impacted, I also recognize that in recent years some communities have been affected more than others.  I’ll never forget sitting across the table last fall as a young tribal member told me they had lost all hope.  Suicide had taken their sibling as well as more than one of their friends – all before their high school graduation.  This individual too had thought about it.  Within weeks of that meeting, we had new provisions in a mental health bill that’s now passed the House directing more resources into tribal suicide prevention programs.  It’s an epidemic that needs to end.

The same is true within veteran communities.  Nearly two dozen Americans lose their life to suicide daily.  More resources have been dedicated in this area as well and we continue to invest in learning more about the relationship between military service, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, and suicide.  But none of it is being done fast enough. 

“I wish I had known how difficult it is to live with depression and that a person can’t simply ‘snap out of it,’” wrote Mary Ellen, who now helps other families struggling with depression and grief in Sioux Falls and beyond.  While we can’t walk someone else’s journey, we can help each other navigate through – and that’s all a person can ask. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the warning signs, please use this as your motivation to get help.  If it is an emergency, dial 911 immediately.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – is also open around the clock for help.  Don’t wait to call.

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2016 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard: 

On Friday morning, Sept. 30, a few dozen cowboys will put on their boots and saddle up their horses. Custer State Park employees will arise before dawn. And thousands from across the state, country and world will gather, all to continue a 51-year tradition.

The Buffalo Roundup is an experience unlike any other. You can feel the ground shake as over 1,000 half-ton creatures stampede across the prairie. Watching the few brave riders drive the beasts to their destination is quite incredible. Witnessing the buffalo’s power and speed from such a short distance creates a feeling of being back in the Old West.

At one time, there were about 60 million buffalo roaming North America, but that number decreased to less than 2,000 in the early twentieth century. Although population levels are nowhere near the historical peak, South Dakota buffalo have made a comeback from their near extinction, thanks in part to Custer State Park.

Riders will round up a herd of 1,300 buffalo on Sept. 30, and it will take about four days to work the herd. Volunteers will vaccinate and brand the calves, check the cows for pregnancy and then identify 200 buffalo for sale in November.

After the Friday morning Roundup, visitors can stay for lunch and watch the volunteers work the herd. There will be plenty of things to do for those who decide to stay for the weekend.  The Arts Festival will continue through Saturday, the Chili Cook Off is scheduled for Saturday, and Crazy Horse Memorial visitors will be permitted to hike to the arm of the mountain carving during an organized Volksmarch on Sunday.

The Roundup is something every South Dakotan should see at least once. People from all over the world come for this one-of-a-kind experience because there’s nothing like it anywhere else. Consider making this worthwhile journey. I hope to see you there!

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From facebook, Attorney General Marty Jackley was hunting this weekend with a group including former Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dan Lederman:

I believe it was the occasion of Marty’s annual AG hunt, which raises funds for his various campaign/political expenses. (Which includes running for Governor in 2018.)

For those of you familiar with Senator Mike Rounds, during his time as Governor he had a strong commitment to the accelerated development of the ethanol industry in South Dakota.

So, why is Senator Rounds, along with Congressman Kevin Cramer (ND) and several other members of Congress from the Midwest, now calling for an end to the mandate in 2023?

There’s a good reason.  You can blame our friends in the federal government. Specifically, the EPA, which continues to cause chaos for South Dakota’s ag producers.

The Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS, is an American federal program that requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels. The RFS originated with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and was expanded and extended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has established a vibrant and sustainable market for conventional ethanol, which has resulted in billions of dollars of operating income for the corn and ethanol markets in South and North Dakota since its inception.

After 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to take full control of the RFS, which would be detrimental to South Dakota’s economy. In a recent congressional hearing [Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, “Oversight of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” 2/24/16], Senator Rounds asked an EPA administrator if corn ethanol would be part of the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) post-2022. The response from the EPA? There is not a specific standard for corn ethanol after 2022 and the future is unclear.

The bottom line is that the EPA’s only blending requirement is for levels of advanced biofuels (including cellulosic and sugarcane ethanol), and the agency has the authority to completely cut corn ethanol out of the mix. The EPA has always viewed conventional ethanol as a temporary filler until the program could shift to full reliance on advanced biofuels, as some greenhouse gas reports claim an increase or only a marginal decrease in emissions compared to gasoline.

Given the Obama Administration’s commitment to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, it is likely that the EPA could seize on these claims as justification to shift all of the biofuel requirements to advanced and cellulosic after 2022.

As Congressman Cramer stated in a recent opinion editorial, this ultimately means that “the EPA could force these more expensive biofuels onto consumers after 2022 through a program like California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. California regularly has the nation’s highest gas prices, and a Boston Consulting Group study concluded compliance with the program could cost “between 33 cents per gallon and $1.06 per gallon by 2020.” Such high fuel costs will disproportionally impact lower-income Americans, who spend larger percentages of their income on energy.”

Members of Congress, such as Senator Rounds, are right to question the future of the RFS. Historically, the EPA has not been a friend to corn farmers and ethanol producers, and has already begun waiving down required blending volumes for conventional ethanol.

Trust me, it’s not to the benefit of South Dakota farmers to give the EPA full control over the program after 2022.

Looks like Marsy’s Law is hitting us twice in one week with postcards promoting their measure. See below for their latest.

(Guys, I know a local vendor who could be helping you. I’m just saying).

There’s another postcard out in the mail this week to help educate voters as to Slick Rick Weiland’s scheme to take taxpayer dollars away from schools, highways, law enforcement, etc, and turn them over to politicians for political campaigns.

I heard something interesting today.

The rumor on the street is that the Governor’s office is considering former house majority leader David Lust to assume the legislative vacancy caused by Representative Dan Dryden’s untimely passing.

Here’s where it becomes even more interesting.

What I’ve been told is that the former Representative is somewhat interested, but would be more interested if he could go back in at the top of the heap.

The word is that he is out contacting a few House members, and seeking support to run the house majority leader position. As you well know, with Brian Gosch’s term limit, and Steve Westra leaving, leadership is currently a great unknown in the house.

Rep. Qualm and Jean Hunhoff’s names come up in discussions over who may be running at this point for majority leader, but conventional wisdom would not indicate that either have any particular advantage.

Could Lust come in, and potentially ascend to the Republican throne after a gubernatorial appointment?

At the time of his previous departure, Lust was mired in a long running bout of Stace Nelson triggered misery, when the rogue legislator was accused of threatening a colleague, and in one memorable incident, was yelling at Lust across a committee room during a hearing, forcing the majority leader to deal with all the unpleasantry.

With Nelson likely to be the Senate’s problem this fall, Lust could return to a much more pleasant atmosphere. But he would have to get the leadership nod first.

And that’s not always so easy. Caucus elections can be a funny thing. Solid votes in your column sometimes evaporate when it’s time for people to make good on a commitment.

Will we see David Lust get the nod for Dan Dryden’s seat? Easily, he’s the best candidate the GOP could have in an unusual situation such as the Dryden vacancy, he has strong name identification in the district, and he could hit the campaign trail running.

It all depends on whether it ends up being worth his time or not.

Stolen from facebook, Senator Thune became a grandparent yesterday. Congratulations to the entire family.