Byron Dorgan

Overall, the funding for tribal programs represents, I think, an attempt by the United States to meet treaty and trust obligations that are owed to tribal governments.

Indian jails have long been proclaimed a national disgrace.

It is true that it is in North Dakota, so I of course have special interest here, but it is also true that it is one of the premier colleges of its type in the Country.

This Country has made promises, again, that it has not kept.

I was encouraged to see that his budget has some proposed general increases for programs to address Indian health care, Indian education, and public safety issues.

I'm a very strong supporter of renewable energy. North Dakota is called the Saudi Arabia of wind.

It is almost certain that a renewable portfolio standard or a renewable energy standard will pass this Congress.

Senator Dorgan, the State utility representative from North Dakota made it crystal-clear.

We want the Federal role to be as narrow as possible while still allowing the progress that we know is necessary for the country.

These electrons are color-blind there.

I know in North Dakota the commission itself does not have eminent domain authority. It's strictly the purview of the courts.

We've got to address that.

I think there's absolutely no question that, when you combine digital information technology into a system that's controlling and moving electricity, that the security implications are enormous.

In many ways, smart grid is kind of at odds with the traditional concept of a utility company.

The issue of cyber-security is really important.

What if smart grid, as a terminology and as a point of discussion with respect to government policy, just takes a complete backseat.

The unfortunate result is that the rate of suicide among American Indian and Alaska Natives is 70 percent higher than the general U.S. population.

Following that, and following discussions at the Standing Rock Reservation where I went and met just myself with a good number of high school students to talk to them about their lives, we put together some legislation to try to make…

In the last decade, Indian Reservations have seen youth suicide rates reach epidemic levels.

I have told the story on the floor of the United States Senate, with the consent of the relatives, of a young woman named Avis Little Wind.

I also want to thank Senators Dorgan and Bennett who've been at the forefront, working hard to expand an enhanced loan guarantees.

Rather than say, 'no such project has yet been built,' people should instead recognize that such projects are imminent and should help them get built.

I applaud your strong, bipartisan leadership along with that of Senator Murkowski in identifying the need for systemic change.

I was honored to vote affirmatively on the confirmation of Senator Salazar. I think he is going to be a great Secretary of the Interior.

The First Americans should not have second class health care or second class education or second class housing.