Political Quotes

“Mr. President, tomorrow afternoon, runners will take their marks for the 100th returning of the Howard Wood Dakota Relays. I have to say, I look forward to this event every year. It is more than a track meet. It is one of the hallmarks of sports in South Dakota and an incredible tradition that is now marking 100 years. Each year, thousands of high school athletes come from across the upper Midwest to compete at the Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, SD. But the Dakota Relays is not about where you are from or how big your school is; it is about the best competing against the best. And it is a thrilling 2 days--hurdles, relays, the long jump, javelin, and, of course, the special event on Friday night that showcases some of the best runners in the region. Athletes get to compete against other athletes they won't see during a season or even at their statewide track meets, and it is incredible to see how hard these high schoolers work, to see them give it their all, and to see their sportsmanship in both victory and defeat. For generations, the Dakota Relays has been the ultimate proving ground and a tradition shared by many South Dakota families. My own family's involvement in the relays stretches from the very beginning. My wife Kimberley's grandfather--the legendary ``Smokey Joe'' Mendel-- ran in one of the first Dakota Relays, and he was the first person to be inducted into the Dakota Relays Hall of Fame in 1959.…”