Mr. Chairman, I think we all know a lot of politicians who will be whatever you want them to be.

While we may not have a large population, we do have a robust agricultural economy--one that depends on rural communities having the tools they need to grow and thrive.

Programs offered by USDA Rural Development are crucial in helping rural areas develop and attract new economic opportunities.

I think the 2018 Farm Bill made a lot of good progress in those areas.

We have a tendency to think about dark days like Wounded Knee as in the ancient past.

December 29, 1890 was most assuredly one of those dark days.

Let us not use polite phrases to ignore the reality: this was no battle, this was a massacre.

A central part of the American experience has been our journey toward a more perfect union.

I think now it is altogether appropriate for the Federal Government to step up in partnership to try to make sure that this sacred site is protected in the right way.

We are pleased that Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) has introduced H.R. 3371 to place this sacred land in restricted fee status and to protect the land from alienation and outside interference and control.

One of the reasons that it is important for us to honor this site is that there are still real, living connections to the terrible actions that were taken that day.