Dusty Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Reformed Church in the United States. The Reformed Church in the United States was founded in 1725, proclaiming the Gospel while serving communities across our Nation. I'm especially honored to note the pivotal role that South Dakota churches have played in advancing the mission and heritage of the Reformed Church in the United States through the Eureka Classis and beyond. During the Revolutionary War, one-fifth of German Reformed pastors served as chaplains in the Continental Army. One member, Captain Peter Humrickhouse, even crossed the Delaware River with General George Washington and delivered critical supplies to Yorktown, helping secure our Nation's independence. Presidents George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt both recognized the influence and integrity of the Reformed Church. President Washington openly praised the loyalty and devotion of its clergy and congregants. President Roosevelt regularly attended Grace Reformed Church in Washington, D.C. and laid its cornerstone himself. This June, members and friends of the Reformed Church in the United States will gather at Mount Rushmore in my home state to mark this historic tricentennial milestone. It is fitting that such a celebration should occur in South Dakota, a state shaped by faith, perseverance, and patriotism. Join me in recognizing the Reformed Church in the United States for 300 years of devotion to faith and service.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Rebbe, a spiritual leader whose impact on faith, education, and morality continues to inspire millions. Born in 1902, the Rebbe endured the horrors of Russian communism and evils of Nazi Germany before arriving in the United States in 1941. From here, he led efforts to rebuild Jewish life, promoting values of kindness, education, and service to others. He sent rabbinical students across the country, including to South Dakota, to reach Jews in isolated communities. His vision led to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement becoming the world's largest Jewish educational organization, now active in all 50 states and 109 countries. The Rebbe believed education must include ethics and character, not just academics. His message resonated far beyond his faith, earning him the Congressional Gold Medal and recognition through Education and Sharing Day, proclaimed annually by U.S. Presidents since 1978. Education and Sharing Day represents an excellent opportunity for us to reflect on the Rebbe's vision and leadership. May we carry forward the Rebbe's legacy by choosing kindness, living with purpose, and working toward a more compassionate world.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate South Dakota's own Dallas Goedert and the Philadelphia Eagles on their Super Bowl LIX win on February 9, 2025. Dallas Goedert was born and raised in Britton, South Dakota. After graduating from Britton-Hecla High School, he was recruited by South Dakota State University's football program. As a Jackrabbit, Goedert had 198 receptions for 2,988 yards and 21 touchdowns. including two straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Goedert's collegiate career at South Dakota State saw him as a two-time first-team Football Championship Subdivision All-American. After an impressive collegiate performance at South Dakota State, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Goedert in the second round and 49th overall of the 2018 NFL draft. As of the end of the 2024 season, he has accumulated an impressive 349 receptions for 4,085 yards and 24 touchdowns while being challenged with injuries. Despite being placed on injured reserve on December 7, 2024, he returned for the playoffs and contributed to the Eagle's victory in the Super Bowl LIX, recording two receptions for 27 yards in a 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. I am proud to recognize Dallas Goedert's outstanding perseverance and his impact as a role model for athletes and individuals across the nation. He is an inspiring reminder of the strength found in determination and hard work. I congratulate Goedert and the Eagles on their remarkable victory.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair and the body for bringing up my bill, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, this afternoon. This is the greatest country in the history of the world, and when you are a country that is that great, it is important that you acknowledge your failures and that you try to do better in the future. As has been said, in December 1890, Chief Spotted Elk and his band of Lakota, which largely consisted of women and children, were headed from the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. While they were en route, they were stopped by the Army's 7th Cavalry, and they were forced to make camp at Wounded Knee Creek. It was the next morning, December 29, 1890, that the 7th Cavalry began to disarm the Lakota. There was a struggle, a shot rang out, and before people realized it, there were hundreds of Lakota being massacred, the overwhelming majority of which were noncombatants, women and children. On the 100th anniversary of Wounded Knee, this body made a formal apology and expressed deep regret for what had happened that day. Another important step forward was in October of 2022 when the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe jointly purchased that 40 acres that is the site of the 1890 massacre. This bill very simply places those 40 acres into restricted fee status, which is in essence putting it into trust. My bill ensures that those two Tribes working together can protect this land as sacred without any commercial development, and they can retain their sovereignty to manage that land appropriately. It was last Congress that I told you all about my trip to the massacre site in June of 2023. It was there I spoke at length to an older gentleman whose grandmother had survived the massacre that day. He, with his own ears, had heard the oral history of the terrible tragedy that occurred that day. I then went and visited St. John's Church where the Lakota had taken their wounded to treat their injuries. Their blood, the blood of the survivors, stained the floorboards in the church that day. The wounds of that dark day remain present to this day, and this land is sacred. I do think this action, this cooperation between the two Tribes and our Federal Government, will make sure that we do right as much as we can in the wake of that tragedy. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Wounded Knee descendants. I thank Oglala Sioux Tribal Chairman Frank Star Comes Out and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Ryman LeBeau for their teamwork in advancing this legislation. Last Congress, this bill passed unanimously out of this body, and I would just ask my colleagues to again vote for H.R. 165, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, so that we can provide the Oglala and the Cheyenne River Tribes the authority they need to protect this land.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong).

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. I always try to leave a little something special in the tank to close, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the exceptional gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cline).

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin).

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lee).

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this Special Order hour.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Feenstra).

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil).

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, we are going to have some comments from some friends of Mr. Kelly Armstrong who is leaving us to serve as the Governor of North Dakota. I suppose I will kick it off. Harry Truman famously said: ``You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.'' I am a big fan of Mr. Truman, so I assume that he was telling the truth. When I first got to Washington, I assumed that it would be easier for me to find a pit of vipers in Washington than a true friend. I will be clear: There are plenty of vipers in Washington, but I discovered that there was also Kelly Armstrong. I did not want to like Kelly Armstrong. It just seemed a little too cute to have the Dakota boys run together, yet somehow, we just clicked. From the very beginning, we have been fast friends. We were almost inseparable at the start, so much so that people would confuse us. They would think that he was me or that I was him, despite the fact that we don't look anything alike. I am suave and sexy, and Mr. Armstrong is something else, perhaps. Anyway, there was indeed confusion about who we were. I remember one day at the back of this Chamber where a distracted and confused Mr. Armstrong came in and put in his card. This was our first week in the House, Mr. Speaker. He hit red, a ``no'' vote, on a Republican motion to recommit. The senior Greg Walden came up and said: Young man, I don't know who you are, but you are accidentally the only Republican in the House who is voting with Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats to kill this Republican motion. If that is how you are going to do business here, you are going to ruin your reputation. A somewhat chastened Mr. Armstrong changed his vote and said: Mr. Walden, thank you so much for telling me how it is. I certainly hope I have not ruined my reputation. Let me introduce myself. I am Dusty Johnson from South Dakota. That was my first but certainly not my last exposure to the idea that Kelly Armstrong is laugh-out-loud funny almost all the time. So many other relationships we have here are work relationships, and work relationships have a tendency to be one-dimensional--that is the gal you grab coffee with, or that is the guy you talk sports with. It is sometimes special when you get a relationship that isn't just a work relationship. As Kelly prepares to depart for the greener pastures of the Governor's mansion, I want to talk a little bit about what he has meant to me, not just as a D.C. friend or a work friend but as a real friend. There are four things. First, Kelly has been my coach. He has made me a better Member because of his counsel more than anybody else here. He has understood my weaknesses, and he has tried to coach me out of them. He has done it almost every week. He said: Dusty, you don't have to participate in every fight that you are invited to. Similarly, he said: Dusty, that is fine, but remember, in a knife fight, everybody gets cut, even you. He has made me a better person, which is what friends do. Secondly, he has also been my policy adviser. He is a great policy mind. When we have had complex legal issues, from sentencing reform to understanding what these contempt of Congress votes really mean, he spent a lot of time, Mr. Speaker, in walking me through them. He didn't benefit from that. He did that because he knew that I cared about the votes and that I wanted to be ready to cast the right vote. Number three, Kelly has been more supportive of me than I could ever ask for. Literally every single thing that I have done in this town has been done because he has been behind me. He has pushed me. He has encouraged me. Do you know how unusual it is in this town to have people who aren't jealous of your success, to have people who want to see you do things rather than have them do things? Even a few days ago, as Governor-elect Armstrong could have been forgiven for focusing on his State and his future, he called me to say: Dusty, what can I do to help? In the last 6 years, there has been no one on the planet who has asked me that question more often than Kelly has: Dusty, what can I do to help? Number four, Mr. Speaker, Kelly has been one of the very best operators in Congress, and I have learned from that. He knows how to get things done. He sees around corners. He is a grade-A expert at what he calls the wet work of Congress so that his friends don't have to be. This House has functioned better because of Kelly Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong, as you leave, we will still cut deals in your absence, but they will not be as good, and cutting them will not be as much fun. The common thread running through all four of these thoughts, Mr. Speaker, is selflessness. In a political universe that is dominated, and I mean dominated, by self-centered egomaniacs, it is shocking how much Kelly Armstrong cares about me, how much he cares about us. Some of our colleagues have the impression that I am the nice one and that he is the mean one, and I don't know how they have gotten it so wrong. I often say that being in Congress is a very easy job if you don't care. It is a very hard job if you do care. Kelly Armstrong has more heart for this job and for his friends than anyone--anyone--in this town, and that is why it is so hard to say good-bye. Kelly, we will miss your insight. We will miss how funny you are. We will miss your profanity. More than anything, we will miss your heart. Harry Truman never had a true friend in Washington, but that is because he didn't have Kelly Armstrong. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan).

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Senator Tim Johnson, a dedicated public servant and honorable man who passed away on October 8, 2024. Senator Johnson served the people of South Dakota with integrity and passion. While Senator Johnson faced health challenges during his time in the Senate, his courage in overcoming those adversities deepened the admiration his colleagues had for him. While we honor his many professional accomplishments, it is important to remember that Senator Johnson was also a devoted family man. He was a loving husband to Barbara and a proud father to their children. His family was always his greatest source of strength, and he often spoke of how their love and support sustained him throughout his career. My thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and the entire Johnson family during this difficult time. As we remember Tim, we reflect on his dedication, spirit, and kindness.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, each year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes a select group of schools across the country, celebrating their academic achievements and contributions to educational excellence. As a South Dakotan, I am proud of Christ the King Elementary, Lennox Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, and Warner High School for being named as National Blue Ribbon Schools. Lennox Elementary, Christ the King Elementary, and Warner High School are honored for their high scores in English and mathematics, while Lincoln Elementary is recognized for its progress in closing the achievement gap among subgroups. This will be the second Blue Ribbon recognition for the Warner School District, as Warner Elementary School was awarded in 2016. These schools serve as models of proficient education for schools throughout the Nation. Outstanding teachers and a supportive community are key to the success of each of these Blue Ribbon Schools. It is paramount that we continue to have exceptional teachers and schools for our kids and the future of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating these four exceptional schools in South Dakota. I'm confident they will continue to make great contributions.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Miles Krajewski on his remarkable 2024 Paralympic performance. Miles and his teammate, Jayci Simon, made Paralympic history for the United States by becoming the first Americans to medal in Paralympic Badminton. Miles and Jayci earned the silver medal for Mixed Doubles in Paris. Hailing from Yankton, South Dakota, Miles represented our state with dedication and skill, serving as an inspiration to many. Miles graduated from Yankton High School earlier this year and will attend the University of South Dakota this fall as a business student. As an alumnus, I'm confident the University of South Dakota will be a great place for Miles to continue excelling as a student and athlete. At 19 years old, Miles has achieved significant success. Prior to competing at the 2024 Paralympics, he represented Team USA in Santiago in 2023. There, Miles won two gold medals in SH6 Badminton events where he secured first place in Singles by defeating the defending champion, and with Jayci Simon they won gold in Mixed Doubles after prevailing in four matches. Miles later earned bronze in Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles in an impressive run at the 2024 Badminton World Federation Para-Badminton World Championships. I am proud to recognize and congratulate Miles for his hard work, dedication to the sport, and performance throughout his career. I wish him continued success in his future endeavors. I thank Miles for representing South Dakota well.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Taryn Kloth on her remarkable 2024 Olympic performance, finishing ninth overall in the Women's Beach Volleyball Olympic competition. Taryn, a Sioux Falls native, proudly represented Team USA with her teammate Kristen Nuss. It was exciting to see a South Dakotan represent Team USA in the Paris Olympics. Our state proudly cheered on Taryn throughout the matches. Taryn attended O'Gorman Catholic High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she began her impressive volleyball career. After helping start the first indoor volleyball team in South Dakota, Taryn earned the Gatorade South Dakota Player of the Year award in 2014, a national championship for her club team, a back-to-back state championship, and landed a top-20 high school ranking in the country. After high school, she went to Creighton University as their highest ranked recruit in school history. Taryn led the team to four consecutive Big East titles and four NCAA tournament appearances, including a school-best Elite 8 appearance in 2016. Taryn graduated early from Creighton and then attended Louisiana State University where she helped them to a No. 1 ranking in the 2020 season. Taryn and Kristen completed the 2021 season going a historic 36-0, earning multiple accolades, including the prestigious American Volleyball Coaches Association Pair of the Year award. The two created a partnership ``TKN'' and became the No. 1 ranked Association of Volleyball Professionals Beach Volleyball Team and No. 2 ranked team worldwide. I am proud to recognize and congratulate Taryn and Kristen for their hard work, dedication to the sport, and performance throughout their careers. I wish them continued success in their future endeavors. I thank Taryn for representing South Dakota well.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam Chair, I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his thoughtful and forward-looking amendment. I think it is important that we set the record straight. This amendment would not, as some have alleged, strip the CFTC of all of its spot market regulatory authority. All of the antifraud and antimanipulation powers that they currently hold would remain in place. This sense of Congress simply makes it clear that, within FIT21, it does not provide the CFTC with grand new authorities over non-digital asset spot markets. I think it is important we do that. There are clear and important differences between the traditional spot markets for commodities. Think about people buying and selling barrels of oil. That is not something everyday Americans are doing, but we do have everyday Americans engaged in the spot market for digital assets. Also, with regard to digital asset commodities, we also have a number of intermediaries that would be interacting with these retail consumers. Some of those intermediaries would certainly hold the cash of consumers, either pending or after a trade. That is an important situation that we need to protect for that is not exactly like that in the traditional commodity markets--different marketplace, different threats, different set of tools. As chair of the Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, I want to make it clear that I support the gentleman's amendment. I do not want any part of FIT21 to change the CFTC's authority over non-digital asset commodities. Madam Chair, I commend the gentleman for his work, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on the amendment.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Chair, here in Congress, we are supposed to be in the problem-solving business. My, oh, my, do we have problems in the digital asset space. In recent years, we have seen the FTX debacle, a debacle that happened under the regulatory regime that some Members are apparently so enamored with, a regime that does not work today. We have seen chronic and disruptive overreach by the Securities and Exchange Commission. We have seen innovation and investment flow overseas. Mr. Chair, they seek markets that are more predictable. We are the only G7 country that hasn't figured this out yet. Clearly, we have problems. I would submit that FIT21 is the solution. For more than a year, French Hill and I, working with Chairs McHenry and Thompson and Members on both sides of the aisle, have worked hard together to craft a solution that increases regulatory predictability, which increases consumer protection, and that will foster innovation. I know that success has many fathers and mothers, and so I do thank Messrs. McHenry, Thompson, Hill, Emmer, and Davidson on the Republican side, and I do need to especially recognize my colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle, particularly Mr. Nickel and Ms. Caraveo, who have invested countless hours in getting this bill right. They have been joined by Representatives Himes, Crockett, Torres, Soto, Gottheimer, and Davis. This success would not be possible without their good-faith efforts, and I thank them.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 200.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2024 Truman Scholars. This year, the Foundation received 709 applications from 285 institutions. After a review of the students records of leadership, public service, and academic achievement the independent selection panel selected 60 students from 54 U.S. colleges and universities to receive this honor. This year's nominees are: Kaylyn Ahn, Daniel Arakawa, Daniel Block, Jackson Boaz, Christian Boudreaux, Allison Boyd, Paul Boyd, Elizabeth Caldwell, Anna Dellit, Grant Dillivan, Juan Dills, Alex Drahos, Jane Drinkwater, Adelaide Easter, Desaree Edwards, Ray Epstein, Gavin Fry, Bitaniya Giday, Eli Glickman, Axel Hawkins, Lezlie Hilario, Adaure Iwuh, Rincon Jagarlamudi, Elijah Kahlenberg, Alyssa Kemp, Lisa Kopelnik, Aravind Krishnan, Pranav Krishnan, Kayle Lauck, Julie Ann Laxamana, Reese Lycan, Kelsey Monaghan-Bergson, Alexandra Mork, Jackson Morris, Laila Nasher, Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez, Tej Patel, Yadira Paz- Martinez, CJ Peterson, Jay Philbrick, Marley Ramon, Thomas Riggs, Camila Rios-Picorelli, Edwin Santos, Diego Sarmiento, Isaac Seiler, Albiona Selimi, Jahnee Smith, Jaiden Stansberry, Sophia Stewart, Anitvir Taunque, Alex Taylor, Wena Teng, Mikayla Tillery, Grace Truslow, Lee Waldman, Ella Weber, Trenton White, Mielad Ziaee, Zane Zupan. Established in 1975, the Truman Foundation is the Nation's living memorial to the thirty-third president. According to the foundation's website their mission is to recognize aspiring leaders at an important inflection point in their development. Students are recognized in their junior year and rewarded for their aspirations to enter public service. After being selected, students receive a scholarship for graduate or professional school, participate in leadership development activities, and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government. Congratulations to all of this year's nominees, and I look forward to seeing where each of them go in their future.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, April 19, 2024, corresponding to the 11th of Nissan, marks the birthday of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, known as ``the Rebbe.'' It is celebrated worldwide and in all 50 states across our great country, including my home state of South Dakota. This day is also observed as ``Education & Sharing Day'' in recognition of the Rebbe's deep commitment to bettering the education of all people. He emphasized that education should not merely be about imparting knowledge but must instill values essential for living a meaningful life, fostering moral character, and contributing to the betterment of individuals and society at large. These moral and ethical principles have served as the foundation of civilization since time immemorial. Like two of the greatest Jewish leaders known to humanity in their times, Moses and Maimonides, whom we honor with their bas-reliefs adorning the walls of this august body, the Rebbe provided leadership, guidance, and healing in our times. This body is honored to have awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal. The Rebbe said that from his earliest childhood days, he envisioned seeing the world come to a state of peace. Through decades of dedicated service and leadership, while guiding many of our nation's leaders, he exemplified how humanity, through moral education, charitable deeds, and acts of kindness, can bring our world to a state where ``swords are turned into plowshares,'' with peace and prosperity for all inhabitants of God's world. On the Rebbe's birthday, it is fitting that we honor him by striving to apply his teachings with greater diligence, embodying his vision of a world illuminated by compassion and goodwill for all.