Kent Conrad

We need about an $8 billion infusion to make it through the rest of the year.

We'd like to thank you, Senator Conrad, for your past support, and we ask that you continue to support our cause

I take them seriously.

We've got to insist that the next highway bill be paid for, and there is that gap.

The energy development in this part of the State, particularly with the oil boom associated with the development of the Bakken Formation, is crucial not only to our economy, but is important to the national effort to reduce our dependence…

Highway 85 represents a critical lifeline for this energy development, and in that context, it is not just a regional issue or a State issue; it becomes a national concern.

We're asking for visionary leadership from you, Senator Conrad.

If it was not done, that they believed there would be a global financial collapse.

I believe it was absolutely essential to prevent a collapse.

The budget that I wrote that my colleagues have agreed to is designed to meet that need at that higher level

Yes, well, that is exactly the issue. And I think, in the interest of everybody having kind of the full information before them, this is going to be a key question for all of us going forward.

I just want to make clear, from my perspective, that this is what occurred after 1997.

Can I add just one other point? And that is that we also have the issue of floodplain.

I have high regard for Colonel Christensen. His professionalism and the absolute dedication he brought to this, I think all of us respect.

And Congressman Peterson, I will tell you, you could not have a better partner in a fight than Collin Peterson.

Thanks again, Mr. Chairman. And I didn't have a chance to thank specifically my colleague Senator Klobuchar for being here and for her leadership.

We just could not be more fortunate, and we thank you for your leadership, Senator Dorgan.

Without that consensus, there is simply very little chance of Federal funding.

The eyes of the Nation were on North Dakota and Minnesota at those moments, and the people of this country were impressed.

Unless we are able to form a local consensus, there is virtually no chance that we will secure Federal funding.

Fargo needs room to grow. Fargo's natural path, one of the significant paths is south.

We cannot rest until temporary flood protection is a thing of the past.

We can do better, and we must.

The funding announced today is in addition to the $42 million in Federal assistance the delegation announced on April 30.

I had a chance to meet with Mr. Echo Hawk yesterday and we talked about a whole series of issues critically important in Indian Country.