Political Quotes

“Madam President, a week ago today western South Dakota was preparing for a coming storm, but no one had any idea it would be one of the worst and most devastating snowstorms in that area's history. I grew up in western South Dakota. I was born and raised there. We saw a lot of nasty blizzards over the years--storms that swept through the middle of our State and all across our State, with the destructive impact that can have, the way it would close down roads, the difficulty it would create for people and, obviously, the loss of livestock that comes with that. We have seen over the years blizzards that have taken their toll on one of our State's most important industries. But the storm damage I saw yesterday when I toured western South Dakota was epic, looking at the mountains of branches that were piled high waiting for disposal, or the gut-wrenching scenes of fence lines, draws, and pastures that were scattered with dead livestock. This snowstorm started out as heavy rain--and I know the distinguished Presiding Officer had much of this in her State of North Dakota as well--but that soaked the livestock. Then it turned into a raging blizzard, with heavy snow and sustaining winds of 60 to 70 miles an hour. These winds drove livestock for miles--some more than 12 miles from their pastures. The fortunate ones lasted through the storm, miles from their origination, but still alive.…”