Gov. Noem Announces Draft Social Studies Standards

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem released draft social studies standards for K-12 students in South Dakota.

“South Dakota’s children deserve the very best social studies education in the nation,” saidGovernor Kristi Noem. “These standards raise the bar for the breadth and depth of civics and history education. They feature a true, honest, and balanced approach to American history that is not influenced by political agendas. And under these standards, our students will focus more on Native American history and culture than ever before.”

The draft standards were compiled by the Social Studies Content Standards Commission, which was facilitated by former Hillsdale College professor William Morrisey.

“We are grateful for the efforts of the working group to approach these draft standards from a wide variety of perspectives, including parents, teachers, college professors, administrators, historians, and experts in Native American history and culture,” said Department of Education Secretary Tiffany Sanderson. “Retired Hillsdale College Professor Will Morrisey did an excellent job guiding the conversation and ensuring that all perspectives were represented.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the new social studies standards. They are substantial and straightforward standards that emphasize our founding documents, our pursuit of freedom, and treat our nation’s history honestly,” said Representative Sue Peterson, Vice Chair of the House Education Committee.

These standards feature expanded South Dakota and Native American history and civics, representing the most robust emphasis on Native American history and civics of any draft standards to-date.

“I am glad that Native American heritage and culture will be well represented in these standards,” said Joe Circle Bear, member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and member of the Commission. “Governor Noem promised to tell our story as part of American history, and these standards do that.”

“I am very proud of the work we as a committee have put into the new Social Studies Standards,” said Stephanie Hiatt, doctorate in education, member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and member of the Commission. “The new standards offer a chronological history of the founding of America. With these new standards, I am confident South Dakota students will develop a historical appreciation that will foster hopeful and prosperous communities.”

In preparing the draft standards, the Commission focused on the four following goals:

• Genuine content in the form of specific stories, historical figures, maps, research, images, and historical documents;
• Sound skills for making sense of the past, understanding their neighbors, earning a livelihood, and exercising the rights and responsibilities of citizenship with prudence;
• Honest, balanced, and complete accounts of historical events and debates that foster a love of country that is not blind to faults; and
• History and civics instruction free from political agendas and activism.

The standards feature integrated civics, ensuring that civics-related topics are interwoven into history classes.

“The standards developed by the Social Studies Commission represent a raising of the bar for social studies education in South Dakota,” said Jon Schaff, Director of the Center for Public History and Civic Engagement at Northern State University and member of the Commission. “We should be proud that our state is taking the lead in promoting civic education firmly grounded in the admirable principles of the American founding. Students educated under these standards will be ready to take on the role of educated citizen.

Last year, Governor Noem became the first candidate or public official in the country to sign the “1776 Pledge to Save our Schools.” At the time, she and Dr. Ben Carson co-wrote an article for Fox News outlining the Pledge and why it is important.

“Since becoming the first office holder in the country to sign the ‘1776 Pledge,’ Governor Noem has followed through with action to promote a true and balanced telling of American history,” said Adam Waldeck, President of 1776 Action. “These standards will set the bar for social studies education in this country. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Noem to restore honest, patriotic education.”

The draft standards made several other notable adjustments to previous South Dakota social studies standards, including:

• Enhanced Content to ensure that standards are meaningful and clear;
• A Spiraled Sequence to ensure that students have the opportunity to build on what they have previously learned; and
• Streamlined Identification to improve accessibility and allow for easier use by both teachers and parents. 

“I am very proud of the work we’ve done, and I encourage people to read these standards,” said Dr. Ben Jones, South Dakota State Historian and member of the Commission. “I believe South Dakotans will see that American history education now includes a great deal of American Indian history and South Dakota’s history in ways that speak to all students and provide a greater foundation for understanding America and their home state after students graduate.”

The Department of Education intends to offer comprehensive professional development to support teachers in building their own knowledge and skills for teaching social studies. Events will be held beginning summer of 2023 and continue throughout the school year to ensure educators are well equipped to implement the standards.

You can find the draft standards here.

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This street art was plastered on every panel of a plywood safety barrier in the Dupont Circle area of Washington DC this week, and I couldn’t resist a photo of one of the graffiti equating fish to people. Because during my time on the east coast this last week, I did my darndest to counter the belief that fish are equal to people.  And thus the great 2022 SDWC Washington DC Fish & Chips Tour was on, testing out several of the area’s offerings so you don’t have to when you’re in our nation’s Capital.

I actually started with a bonus to the tour last Tuesday as I had to spend a day or so in Boston on personal business, and one of the local places close to the hotel was the Black Rose, which set a high bar with the fish offering:

This was the small lunch portion, which was still a thick chunk of white fish which was just tasty. The chips.. well, krinkle fries, but they were well cooked and stayed crisp. All around a solid offering that I’d go back for and have a dinner portion.. if I wasn’t later heading over to the Barking Crab as we did.

While I had perfectly acceptable fish tacos, which I’m not finding I took a picture for, my wife went with the lobster, which was pretty darned good, and we had a nice relaxing view of the seaport from our seat.

As we flew out to DC the next AM, it was still a little early for fish and chips for breakfast, but I did have a really good lobster roll at Legal Sea Food’s Test Kitchen.

(Sorry, I cut it in half before I snapped a picture of this unbelievably good lobster roll.) And while I wasn’t looking for great french fries at 10 AM, I found them. These seasoned fries didn’t seem frozen, and everything on the plate was absolutely fresh.

From Boston, we were DC bound where we get the official tour rolling.  No Fish & Chips on our first night, but we did eat at the Fish Market in Alexandria, where the schooners come straight out of the freezer.

Wednesday, we stopped at the National Portrait Gallery, which if you’ve never been, is one of the places I go back to because there’s just so much of our country’s history to see, and you’re always finding something new, such as this exhibit of fishing decoys. Fish decoys, not lures, which they apparently use to draw in schools of fish for spear fishing.

After a visit to see my daughter’s desk at Congressman Dusty Johnson’s office, we walked down for a late lunch to Bullfeather’s on the Hill. I had wings, but my wife let me try her fish and chips. And after trying them, I’m glad I had the wings:

Chips were good. Lemon Dill Mayo was nice.  But bit into a piece of fish.. and wasn’t sure if it was a chicken nugget or fish.  It was kind of flavorless. It might be the kind of thing that would work in a fish taco, but by itself it was definitely not something I would make a return visit for.  Like I said, if you’re going to eat there, the wings are a much better bet.

On Thursday, my son came to town up from his naval base in Newport News on Thursday where he’s stationed on the USS Montana, and we met up with my daughter Sydney.. which means that dad is going to end up buying dinner. So, if Dad pays, dad picks. And I opted for something that I knew was a sure bet after last night’s disappointment, and just a block down the street from Union Station.. the Dubliner‘s version of fish & chips.

Something I like to see is a high ratio of fish to chips, and these two huge wedges of lightly breaded haddock are always worth returning for. Chips were more authentic than some of the week’s earlier offerings, and nothing to complain about here. Especially paired with an ice cold Guinness Harp lager. Just outstanding.

During the day on Friday, we did a little touring of the US Capitol, and got to sneak out on the balcony of one of the Congressional Office buildings where I snapped this photo..

My son had to head back home, while my wife and daughter went to Hamilton at the Kennedy Center. So, since I was solo.. I headed down the street from our hotel in Old Town Alexandria to a place I hadn’t gone to in a number of years, Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar. And it did not disappoint with one of the best offerings of the tour to date:

Well, the chips might have been run of the mill steak fries, but that fresh piece of Atlantic Cod was just beautiful. Hot & crispy and just a nice flavor.  I could have ended the tour with this stop and been happy, but I had one more “must visit” fish & chip venue on my agenda.

Before dinner, had to stop at the Biergarten Haus Bavarian beer hall down the street from Capitol Hill and have a raspberry shandy.. just because.

I knew I was having a meal shortly, so I opted for the 1/2 liter, which is hand mixed, and not something that comes in a bottle. And once refreshed, we walked back the block over to the final stop – the Queen Vic British Pub.

The Queen Vic seems like a little hole in the wall pub, with a few tables off to the side from the bar, and an upstairs patio. But the food is tremendous. And there might not be any place in DC that does Fish & Chips better. The description on the menu just advises Fish & Chips with “mushy peas, lemon, tartar sauce.” But despite the lack of description on the menu, this hubcap of fresh fish is what you get.

If you like fish and chips, this is the high-bar you’re going for.  Hand’s down, once you have this, you’re going to compare everything else to the Queen Vic’s version.  Just perfect.

Sated and satisfied, the tour was officially over, as my days were up, and I was readily done with eating seafood for a while. It’s fun while it lasts, but all good things must come to an end. For the 2022 SDWC Washington DC Fish & Chips tour, there were three solid hits, a strike, and a bonus in Boston to complete the effort.

All around, a great time, no complaints, and a successful return to cattle country.

I’m solo at O’Connell’s in Old Town Alexandria tonight, and so far this fillet is the most noteworthy of the tour in terms of size, as this golden brown piece of fish smothers half the plate.

It has been mainly contenders up until tonight, as even the Dubliner’s offering didn’t hold a candle to this huge hunk of beer-battered cod.

I still have a visit or two left until I deliver the full report, but dang, this was an entry in the “worthy” column.

Serving South Dakota is my greatest honor, and throughout my time in Congress, I’ve sought out ways to give our state a strong voice in Washington. Democrats control the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, and while there have been plenty of policies I’ve disagreed with, I’m proud of the work I’ve been able to accomplish on behalf of all South Dakotans.

With the Senate having just begun its traditional August state work period, I’m excited to have more opportunities to travel across the state to talk to folks about what is on their minds, what has been accomplished the last few months in Washington, and what else is in store for the rest of the year.

One of the most important bills Congress takes up every year is the National Defense Authorization Act. This year’s bill will authorize critical funding to continue preparation for the B-21 mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and it will also include my proposal to authorize additional funding for school districts affected by growing missions. I am incredibly proud that South Dakota and Ellsworth were chosen to serve as the first operating base for the B-21. I am committed to ensuring that the base has everything it needs to continue serving as one of our nation’s essential military assets for decades to come, including by ensuring local communities have the resources to help address school and housing capacity needs.

Turning from the air to the sea, at the beginning of the summer, my Ocean Shipping Reform Act received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, and it is now the law of the land. This new law will help ease supply chain pressures by addressing unfair ocean carrier practices, speeding up the resolution of disputes over carrier fees, and improving the movement of goods at our nation’s ports. This is especially important for South Dakota producers, who rely on efficient access to markets around the world for their products. It won’t solve our nation’s inflation crisis, but it should help make life easier for U.S. exporters, importers, and consumers alike.

After months of requests, I was pleased that the administration finally agreed to restore the summertime sale of E15 fuel for 2022, which went into effect on June 1. I have long advocated to make permanent the year-round sale of E15, plus higher blends of ethanol, as a way to offer American drivers more affordable and cleaner options at the gas pump and to offset foreign sources of energy. It’s a step in the right direction, and I will continue to call on the Biden administration to leverage American agriculture to help drive down gas prices and support our state’s economy.

As a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, ensuring that our rural communities have a seat at the table remains a top priority for me. Right now, the 2023 farm bill is a big focus of mine. I’ve already begun to hold a series of roundtables to hear from South Dakota farmers and ranchers about what they need from next year’s bill, and I plan to continue introducing proposals that I hope to get included in it. Agriculture is the lifeblood of the South Dakota economy, and I will do everything I can to make sure that our farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to help feed our country.

As always, fighting for South Dakota is my number-one priority. I’m focused on the same principles and priorities that have always guided me: working hard, fighting for what matters, and listening to my top advisers – you, the people of South Dakota. I look forward to catching up with folks this month, and if we cross paths, please be sure to say hello. In the meantime, if you have questions about how I can help you, or if you have an idea or feedback about something I’m working on, please don’t hesitate to write, call, or email – I’m all ears.

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This week, the Speaker of the House interrupted the August Work Period in our districts and states, calling all Representatives to vote on the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act”. The $745 billion bill does little to actually reduce inflation – it may just make things even worse. July’s 8.5% inflation report shows a slight cooling of inflationary pressure. Passing this bill could reverse the little bit of progress we have made.

I am voting no on this bill, bringing my opposition of record spending to a total of $10 trillion since President Biden took office. We can’t just keep spending more money, especially when monthly economic reports show continuing inflation and a recession possibly looming. I’m open to some policy ideas in this legislation – for example some of the drug pricing policies are interesting – but the overall price tag is too high, and it was rushed through in the last few weeks.

Fiscal policies should be thoughtful. There should be give and take from both sides, analysis done on the long-term spending impacts, and time to decipher whether or not taxes on the middle class would go up.

The Inflation Reduction Act:

• Authorizes $80 billion for the IRS
• Spends over $350 billion on environmental policies
• Raises taxes on businesses who are already raising their prices—passing even higher prices onto consumers
• Is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to only reduce inflation by 0.01% at best in 2023
• Raises taxes on Americans in every income bracket
• Will likely increase costs for prescription drugs and health care insurance premiums

Increasing taxes and retail prices for hard-working Americans will only make it harder for families to make ends meet. 94% of South Dakotans are already experiencing inflation. In just about every meeting I take with South Dakotans, they mention how inflation is impacting them, their business, their family, or their community.

I have opposed spending package after spending package pushed by Speaker Pelosi and President Biden that have consistently driven up inflation, increased prices on goods, services, energy, and everything in between. Spending more money now will continue to kick the can down the road—causing almost everyone to deal with the impacts of inflation for much longer.

I am focused on solving our supply chain crisis, increasing our energy independence, and supporting our small businesses to mitigate the impact of inflation on American consumers and business owners. We need to pass commonsense, realistic solutions that will actually work. Policies that bring down high prices in the grocery store and at the gas pump, get Americans back to work, and strengthen our economy.

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For more than 80 years, late summer has brought thousands of motorcycles to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Bikers come from across the country – and around the world – to participate in the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. They bring with them their money, supporting our local businesses and helping our state revenues. And they enjoy the beauty and freedom that South Dakota has to offer.

This happens every year, so it should not have been remarkable that it happened two years ago in August 2020 – but it was. At that time, the rest of the nation remained shut down. South Dakota had already drawn headlines for our unique approach to the pandemic. But the media scrutiny reached another level when bikers did what they had always done and rode out to South Dakota to enjoy our freedom and fresh air. Liberals across the country predicted a “superspreader” event. Flawed studies were drummed up to back this breathless allegation. The criticism was repeated so often that everyone assumed it was true.

Of course, the allegation was false. Even the CDC’s data only tied fewer than 500 cases to the rally. But this false allegation was repeated so often because the media needed it to be true. If events like Sturgis could go on without a major pandemic fallout, then the media’s entire narrative about the pandemic must be false. If states like South Dakota could thrive without mandates and lockdowns, then why were schools and businesses still closed in big cities and liberal states?

By repeating the lie again and again, the media unwittingly made Sturgis into something bigger – something more. They made it a banner of Freedom, and they made every rider at the Rally a carrier of that banner. The Rally already had that connotation. It was always about the biker’s mentality – individualism and love for the open road and fresh air. Most Rally attendees will quickly tell you that the government should not be telling you how to live your life. But it took on a far deeper meaning after the attacks by the liberal media.

As a result, the 2021 Rally was one of the biggest in history, and this year’s Rally has been above average, as well, despite the highest gas prices in American history. More American flags are waving at the event.

I attended this year’s Rally, participating in the Legends Ride and a charity auction to benefit causes like helping victims of human trafficking. Countless riders thanked me for providing an example that Freedom works – for giving them a place to come and be free.

I always knew that South Dakota could be an example for the nation. I didn’t necessarily expect that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally would be part of setting that example, but today it certainly is. And I’m glad that it is. After all, I love what the Rally stands for: fast bikes, fresh air, and Freedom.

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Having seven kids, I’ve heard a lot of whoppers before, but this might be the biggest one ever.

At off-the-wall website Dakota Leader, where they worship Steve Haugaard, and promote Tina Mulally as a great leader, website author Breeanaugh Sagdahl has a video interview where the latest crazy-talk is that Kristi Noem didn’t actually keep South Dakota businesses open.

The fish-tale being promoted for your crazy aunt who spends too much time on Facebook is that they claim Kristi fought against keeping South Dakota open, and one of the heroes of keeping the state open was actually Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg.  And as a result he ended up on some enemies list and they were gonna get him no matter what.

I’m not sure what to say to all of that. Except that you have to eventually hope that they give up on the primary election at some point.

In Boston today before I head to DC tomorrow, but consider the 2022 Fish & Chips tour is on!

At the Black Rose in Boston, and the piece of fish (cod) is as thick as prime rib, and as light as a feather..

The ‘chips’ seem more like fries, but the fish is so good, it’s forgiven. It’s early in the day, so I got the small portion, but I could have eaten more fish in a flash.

Gov. Noem Issues Statement on FBI Raid on President Donald Trump’s Home

STURGIS, S.D. – Today, following the FBI raid on former President Donald J. Trump’s home, Governor Kristi Noem issued the following statement: 

“The FBI raid on President Trump’s home is an unprecedented political weaponization of the Justice Department. They’ve been after President Trump as a candidate, as President, and now as a former President. Using the criminal justice system in this manner is un-American.” 

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Record-high inflation is the number-one issue impacting Americans right now. From soaring gas prices to food prices – and just about everything in between – a nearly 41-year high inflation rate is forcing families to dig deeper into their pocketbooks as they try to make ends meet. I continue to hear from folks across the state who tell me about the sacrifices they are making, and it’s abundantly clear that they need some relief.

Unfortunately, instead of pursuing policies that would grow our economy and drive down prices for families and small businesses, Democrats continue to pursue the policies that helped lead to record-high inflation in the first place. Democrats are pursuing their so-called “Inflation Reduction Act,” a bill that would do nothing to reduce inflation but would double down on wasteful government spending and impose hundreds of billions of dollars in tax hikes on American businesses – tax hikes that would result in higher prices for consumers in nearly every income bracket.

Our economy has posted negative economic growth for the past two quarters – the textbook definition of a recession – and Democrats think now is an ideal time to raise taxes on American businesses. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that raising taxes in the middle of a recession is a very, very bad idea. Bottom line, Democrats are failing Economics 101.

Increasing the tax burden on American businesses and consumers doesn’t end there. The Democrats’ bill would also impose a methane fee and a new tax hike on U.S. refiners importing crude oil and petroleum products, which are intended to make conventional energy prohibitively more expensive. Regardless of the wishful thinking Democrats engage in, Americans still need conventional energy – now and into the near future. The Democrats’ energy tax hikes are setting everyday Americans up to continue to suffer under high energy prices for the foreseeable future, as the cost for gas far exceeds the $2.38 price per gallon when President Biden took office.

The Democrats’ bill – that they bizarrely claim is going to lower inflation – happens to be chock-full of radical, Green New Deal-esque policies. There’s billions of dollars for a grant program to plant trees and things like identifying gaps in tree canopy coverage. There are billions of dollars going to purchase heavy-duty electric vehicles like garbage trucks and even more money for the U.S. Postal Service to purchase zero-emission delivery vehicles – to name a few.

Among other egregious policies, there are tax credits for folks who purchase electric vehicles and even more write-offs for refitting windows, skylights, and doors to meet Democrats’ required level of energy efficiency. The icing on the cake, of course, is the fact that the wealthiest Americans in our country are the ones who are purchasing electric vehicles, and Democrats want to give these high-income earners a tax break. This bill is wasteful and irresponsible and would create a lot of economic pain for hardworking Americans and job creators.

The Democrats’ $1.9 trillion spending spree in early 2021 helped plunge our economy into an inflation crisis that has left Americans struggling. If anything, Democrats should have learned that dumping unnecessary dollars into the economy is a recipe for disaster. Their new partisan tax-and-spending spree, unfortunately, tees up even more economic pain for families. As we have seen time and time again, economic common sense is taking a back seat to Democrats’ big-spending, big-government ideology. I will continue to fight back against these radical, out-of-touch policies and focus on solutions that put more money into the pocketbooks of hardworking South Dakotans.

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