Dusty Johnson: “I share the Senator's congratulations to Mary and the staff in general who have worked very hard on these and other key…”

“I share the Senator's congratulations to Mary and the staff in general who have worked very hard on these and other key issues. I think the Senator from North Dakota raises an important point relative to the unique importance of these institutions, given the kinds of circumstances that the students face where there is a great need for extended family, where transportation is difficult to secure, where the extended family is necessary to make education--oftentimes far more than 4 years, oftentimes 5 and 6 and 7 years--for nontraditional students to become a reality. Were it not for these institutions, there simply would not be this level of educational achievement, there would not be these role models being created, there would not be this kind of leadership created in Indian country today. So, again, I have to thank the Senator for his leadership and insights on this issue, and I yield my time.”