Kristi Noem

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the importance of getting a farm bill done this year. Growing up on a farm in South Dakota, I know how volatile the agriculture industry certainly is. Our producers will invest in seed; they will fertilize the land; and they will put it in the ground in the spring, oftentimes in unfavorable weather, in the hope that that fall they will come back and be able to pick something up and have something to show for it in the fall. The crops that are grown provide food not just for South Dakota, but for our Nation and for our world. South Dakotans understand that our weather can be extreme and it can be unpredictable. It can also vary a lot from year to year. We have certainly seen that situation this year. Look at what we have witnessed lately. We have gone from extreme droughts in the Midwest to now blizzards in April. For agriculture producers, these extremes are more than an inconvenience. Whether it is an extended drought that dries out crops or a blizzard that endangers a herd of cattle, weather disasters can mean the difference between a family operation that is able to make it through another year or a family operation that ends forever. When faced with weather-related disasters, I know that it is essential for our farmers and ranchers to have immediate assistance to keep their operations running. We have a national security interest in being able to produce our own food in this country. The instance we depend on another country to feed our people is the instance that we completely let them control us and our future. A farm bill not only provides a safety net for us, it keeps us safe. We need to keep our farmers on the land in good times and in bad times. Budgeting for these programs through the farm bill process is much more responsible than doing what has been done in the past, such as passing large, ad hoc disaster assistance packages, which is what Congress often ends up doing year after year if these programs are not in place and are not funded. Often these disaster programs could be spent at a deficit level rather than responsibly being budgeted for. One of the situations we don't talk about very often is how the dynamics have changed in the farming industry. It is simply not possible for farmers and ranchers to continue to operate without having access to credit. The only way they have access to credit a lot of times is because of dependence on crop insurance and somewhat of a farm safety net. Next week, the House Agriculture Committee plans to mark up the farm bill. We need this House to act. We need them to get a farm bill done, one that will support both rural and urban America. We cannot accept another extension this year. We must pass a long-term bill to give certainty to our producers and to guarantee our Nation's food supply.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his work on these important issues. I appreciate it. Today I rise in support of H.R. 291, the Black Hills Cemetery Act. This bill is of great importance to the communities of the Black Hills area of South Dakota. The Black Hills of South Dakota are home to a number of historic cemeteries. Many of these originated in old mining towns dating back to the 1800s, and they have unique significance to the communities surrounding them. These include the Englewood, Galena, Hayward, Mountain Meadows, Roubaix, Nemo, Rockerville, Silver City, and the Cold Springs cemeteries. These cemeteries are currently being managed by local cemetery associations and community groups in the surrounding areas, but have been technically owned by the U.S. Forest Service since the 1900s. This causes unnecessary liability for the U.S. Forest Service because of the responsibility for upkeep and dealing with possible vandalism or damage to property in these cemeteries. At almost no cost to taxpayers, the Black Hills Cemetery Act would simply transfer ownership of these cemeteries and up to 2 acres of adjacent land to the caretaking communities. They have managed them for generations under special use permits issued by the Forest Service. It also makes clear that these cemeteries will continue to be used for the same purpose as they always have been in the past. I sponsored this bill at the request of these communities and the current caretakers of the cemeteries, and in consultation with the U.S. Forest Service. In fact, this bill was introduced and passed last year by the House with broad, bipartisan support. I look forward to seeing this bill pass again this year, and pass through the Senate this time so we can resolve this matter for the communities in South Dakota. I would like to thank the communities and local residents for their help in working with my office and for advocating for this bill. I would also like to thank Chairmen Hastings and Bishop and their staffs for pushing this bill forward for the second time. These communities have been asking for a solution to this situation for a number of years, and as their Representative, I'm glad that we have the opportunity to pass this bill again in the House today. I want to thank Chairman Young for his leadership as well, and I urge my colleagues to support and pass this bill for these communities in South Dakota.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Well, thank you. I appreciate that, and I thank the gentlelady from Missouri for her leadership on this issue. You know, people sacrificed for the rights that we have. The Constitution is so important to me. It's important to the people of South Dakota and to my family, and the Second Amendment is very dear to our heritage. That's why I wanted to come to the floor today, because I wanted to talk about how the Constitution guarantees us the individual's right to keep and bear arms. That's why I strongly support the Second Amendment. This right isn't abstract to me. It's part of my family's heritage, and it's my State's culture. I am a gun owner and a member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. I'll continue to fight and defend this right for the people of South Dakota and for our way of life. You know, the Second Amendment has been described in many different ways over the years, such as it is there to support our natural rights of self-defense. It is there for resistance of oppression. It even was described as a civic duty to act in concert in the defense of the State. These are all reasons that we need to make sure that we are continuously talking about the benefits of this right, what it means to mothers and fathers who are protecting their families, and what it means to us growing up in a country where people sacrificed, bled and died to protect the rights that we had. You know, growing up in South Dakota, I've always had an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for the outdoors and for hunting. If you aren't familiar with South Dakota, I'll tell you that hunting is a very important part of it. It's one of our greatest traditions and ways of life across the State. I grew up hunting and taking hunting trips--sometimes for weeks on end, one- or two-week trips to the mountains to hunt with my dad and my brothers. It was good family quality time. We had a lot of conversations while we were enjoying the outdoors. The first person that taught me how to hunt and to carry a gun correctly was my grandmother. She and I and her black lab BJ would go out and spend hours together. It was during those times that she not only taught me the proper way to handle a firearm and to enjoy the wildlife, but also life lessons that I don't think I would have gotten if I hadn't spent that much time with her in the outdoors enjoying that heritage. This belief in the Second Amendment is critically important to South Dakotans, and I certainly appreciate the fact that I had the opportunity to enjoy it. Now I have the chance with my own kids and with my husband, Brian. Opening day of pheasant season is always big in South Dakota. It's a family reunion, but obviously there are many, many friends that show up for that as well. It starts with a big breakfast. We all gather together for good entertainment and conversation until it's time to go out and start enjoying the day together. It's a tradition that we don't want to lose. Every year, sportsmen and -women flock to South Dakota to enjoy this tradition and take advantage of our State's abundance of hunting and wildlife. I want to give you a few facts about South Dakota. With over 700,000 acres of public hunting land, South Dakota is home to the Nation's best pheasant hunting, and it's the pheasant hunting capital of the world. In fact, last year, pheasant hunters were able to put 1.55 million roasters in their game bags. In 2011 alone, the pheasant hunting season had an economic impact of over $225 million to our State. It's our number two industry as tourism, and a big part of that happens during the hunting season. A majority of the money spent from that $225 million comes in from out- of-state visitors. Hunting and maintaining a healthy habitat for wildlife is one of the great things that I appreciate about South Dakota, and it's why I'm so proud to call it home. During the debates that have occurred here in Washington, D.C., recently, I received many, many--thousands, actually--letters from South Dakotans. I just want to read a couple of excerpts from a couple of those if I have the chance. The first one was from Kevin in Aberdeen. He said: I urge you to oppose any and all antigun legislation that will simply penalize law-abiding gun owners. Instead, focus on improvements to our Nation's mental health system and enhancing school security, while respecting our Second Amendment rights. Mike, who is also from Aberdeen, in talking about a bill that had been proposed said: This is clearly the wrong answer for a real issue. Taking away a right that has been proven to save lives time and again is the wrong reason against obvious mental issues and security lapses. The last one I want to touch on is from Greg. He says: I agree that work needs to be done to keep weapons out of the hands of mentally ill individuals, but this isn't the answer. I regularly use a rifle that would be banned under some proposed legislation when controlling coyotes and the rabbit populations on my farm. I've also used the rifle for controlling prairie dog populations on other landowner property, in addition to hunting on public lands. That's one of the things you don't talk about a lot. For many people in the middle of the country out in western South Dakota, they simply wouldn't be able to be in business anymore if they didn't have the opportunity to control predators that could wipe out their entire livestock herd. The Second Amendment guarantees them the right to have the ability to do that. This is just a small glimpse into the traditions that we have in South Dakota and the heritage that gun ownership offers all of us. I want to thank the gentlelady for giving me the opportunity to talk about that. The Second Amendment is critically important. It needs to be defended, and I was very proud to stand here and do that with you today.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his work on this particular issue. Madam Chair, we face some specific challenges in Indian Country in South Dakota, and this amendment ensures that 1 percent of the funds within the Workforce Investment Fund would be dedicated towards meeting those needs. Madam Chair, the three most impoverished counties in the Nation are located in South Dakota. Each of these counties is located on or near reservations, and the poverty rate in these counties hovers around 50 percent. Life in Indian Country certainly has its challenges, and among those is chronically high unemployment. While some of our tribes face an unemployment rate of around 10 percent, we have one of them, the Rosebud Reservation in Todd County, and the Pine Ridge Reservation in Shannon County, which face almost 80 percent unemployment. Again, this is challenging for Indian Country and needs to be dealt with. It is very clear that we can and must do better for Indian Country, and making our job-training programs work better through legislation like the SKILLS Act is an effective way to do that. Guaranteeing the set-aside money for Native Americans with this amendment is going to make sure that that is available to them. I've toured Lakota Foods on the Lower Brule Reservation where they make some of the world's best popcorn. Lakota Foods has over 12 full- time and part-time employees right now. With the right training, they can employ around 50 people. Also, there is a similar success story in Pine Ridge, where Native American Natural Foods produces Tanka Bars. It is a healthy snack made out of buffalo meat and cranberries inspired by traditional Lakota food. Tanka Bars caught on and are sold in over 3,000 stores now nationwide. With the right training and workforce development, they could expand to over 20 full-time employees. We need to ensure that tribal businesses like this have an opportunity to survive, and that's the type that we want to have in Indian Country. I ask for support on this amendment.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the AbilityOne program, which is one of the largest providers for people who are blind or have severe disabilities. AbilityOne has helped over 40,000 people gain the necessary skills to enter and succeed in the workforce. In my home State of South Dakota, Black Hills Services Inc., helps to implement this critical program. The AbilityOne program connects Federal Government agencies with community based non-profits that are dedicated to employing the blind and disabled. This program affords Americans with disabilities opportunities to acquire job skills and training, receive good wages and benefits, and gain greater independence and quality of life. This program provides essential assistance to a segment of the population that has one of the highest levels of unemployment in our country. I am proud to acknowledge the important work of Services at Ellsworth Air Force Base. I recently had the pleasure of visiting with many team members and seeing first hand the great job they do. With the support of the AbilityOne Program, BH Services provides assistance and employment to more than 325 people with disabilities in the Rapid City area. The direct impact this program has on the lives of Americans with disabilities cannot be overstated. For an individual with a significant disability who has never had the opportunity to work, be independent, participate in community life, or contribute to their society; the AbilityOne Program and agencies like BH Services are invaluable. The work AbilityOne and BH Services do everyday help people live fuller lives and become more active members of society. I applaud each AbilityOne employee who works every day to improve their lives and make South Dakota and our country, a better place to live.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, this is the second-to-the-last day that we'll be here and be in session before we head home to our districts, and we still do not have a farm bill that gives certainty to our producers and our ranchers across the country. In a little over a week, the 2008 farm bill is going to expire. While many of these programs will continue into the future for months ahead, we have an opportunity to actually save money and give other producers certainty as they begin planning for the coming years. Last week, I sat down and I visited with Mike and Lori. They're producers from near the town of Huron, South Dakota. They raise corn, soybeans, and beef cattle. And this year was particularly difficult for them in light of the drought situation that producers in South Dakota were facing. Thankfully, they had programs such as crop insurance that helped them manage their risk in such a difficult year. They wrote me a letter on the importance of the farm bill, and I want to read a portion of that letter to you: We are experiencing a severe drought in our area this year. We put up half the hay that we normally do. Dugouts are starting to dry up, and crop yields will be down significantly. Crop insurance will be extremely important to offset lost crop production and lost revenue due to poor crop conditions. Crop insurance is a vital part of providing stability to our income and allowing us to stay a viable family farm dedicated to growing a safe, affordable food supply for a growing world. They went on in their letter to describe exactly what this means to their family at home: We have a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. We tell them daily how important our jobs are as farmers, how we are truly feeding the world. They are taking true pride and ownership of that, and passing a good farm bill only helps stabilize their dreams, their futures--and ours. A 5-year farm bill gives us the stability to plan ahead for our operation long term. With the limited time Congress has to pass a farm bill before the current one expires, I would encourage lawmakers to look to rural America and realize how much work we can get done in a week. We know that, if the farm bill is made a priority, there is still enough time to get one passed. Thank you again for your work, and we urge Congress to pass a farm bill now. This past week, I was traveling through the middle of our State, in an area that has been hit particularly hard by the drought. I stopped at a truck stop and visited with many producers who were there filling up with fuel and getting supplies to head back out to the field. You see, right now in South Dakota, producers are planting a winter wheat crop, and they're having to make the decision: Do they put that crop into dry ground, or do they wait and see if they get a farm bill and crop insurance into the future so that they have the certainty to make sure that their risk is managed? Many of those producers were electing not to plant. They were waiting to see if they could get rain and get a program that would actually keep their families in business. Some were putting it in the ground, showing that they truly are brave producers who have little faith that the skies will open up and that next year will be different. I tell you that they and Mike and Lori and other producers across the State of South Dakota and across this country who have been particularly hit in these tough times are looking to us here in Congress to provide them certainty during this drought. The farm bill is one of the reasons that our family farmers are able to stay in business during tough years. Many other programs in the farm bill give them the stability and certainty, which, in turn, gives every American the certainty in having a reliable, affordable food supply. I ran for Congress to bring more common sense to this place and to be an efficient and effective leader for South Dakota. We have an opportunity to get a farm bill done this year that provides a safety net and real reforms for our producers and cost savings for the taxpayers. While the clock hasn't run out yet, I think it is important that we get our work done on time, and I am disappointed that it hasn't been scheduled for a vote. Sept. 11, 2012. Hon. Kristi Noem, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Rep. Noem: Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you during our trip to Washington, D.C., to talk about passing the farm bill. My husband, Mike, and I are both third-generation farmers. We have a diversified crop and beef cattle operation 25 miles southwest of Huron, S.D., where we raise corn, soybeans and 250 head of cattle. We are experiencing a severe drought in our area this year. We put up half the hay that we normally do, dugouts are starting to dry up and crop yields will be down significantly. Crop insurance will be extremely important to offset lost crop production and lost revenue due to poor crop conditions. Crop insurance is a vital part of providing stability to our income and allowing us to stay a viable family farm dedicated to growing a safe, affordable food supply for a growing world. We were fortunate to have utilized the EQIP Program to install two water sources in two pastures to provide drinking water for our cattle which has been vital during this drought. We were also able to participate in the Stewardship Program through NRCS. Those conservation practices helped retain subsoil moisture which has been critical in the drought conditions we've faced. We have a 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter. We tell them daily how important our jobs are as farmers, how we are truly feeding the world. They are taking true pride and ownership of that and passing a good farm bill only helps stabilize their dreams and ours. A five-year farm bill gives us the stability to plan ahead for our operation long term. With the limited time Congress has to pass a farm bill before the current one expires, I would encourage lawmakers to look to rural America and realize how much work we can get done in a week. We know that if the farm bill is made a priority, there is enough time to get this bill passed. Thank you again for your work and we urge Congress to pass a farm bill now. Sincerely, Mike and Lori Peskey, Iroquois, S.D.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of this week, we come even closer to the date on which our farm bill will expire, which is on September 30, in just a short period of time. Yesterday, we had a rally here on the Capitol grounds that hundreds of farmers from across the Nation came together and talked about the importance of doing a farm bill now. That was the driving theme because we recognize the responsibility that farmers across this Nation have to feed our families and to make sure that they have food that they can put on the tables across this world. Recently, I received a letter from some producers in South Dakota. Myron and Mary are real people, and they live near Wall, South Dakota. I wanted to read this letter for you today. They have a farming and ranching operation that they have had since 1969 near the Badlands of South Dakota. They farm around 750 acres of corn and wheat in South Dakota, and like many producers, they're struggling through this drought that has afflicted our country. I want to read a portion of that letter to you: Our area was designated extreme drought early July. The corn usually yields 60 bushels per acre; wheat, 50 bushels per acre; safflower, 1,200 pounds per acre; alfalfa, 1 ton per acre. This year, the corn was cut for hay and silage, the safflower yielded half, and the alfalfa was next to nothing. We usually raise enough hay to meet our needs. To date, we have spent $120,000 to buy hay, and we still need more. The farm bill is important to our operation in two areas in particular: Number one, crop insurance that is all inclusive (hail, fire, drought); and, number two, disaster assistance as provided in the last farm bill but expired last year. Disaster assistance is desperately needed now due to the drought. It is the time of year to plant wheat and to wean calves, which we will do. We don't know if it will rain, but if we knew that a farm bill was in place, we could make the decisions whether to maintain our cowherd numbers and if we plant crop. Please pass a farm bill before the end of the year. I want you to take a look at this picture that's next to me that is a cornfield in South Dakota. It was taken a while ago. If you would look at this field, traditionally, when this picture was taken, that corn should be lush and green; it would be setting ears, it would be building test weight, and it would be ready for harvest. Instead, these stalks are falling over due to the drought. They weren't able to provide much in growth and are struggling. This corn, more than likely, will be cut for silage--for feed for cattle--instead of returning on the investment for the producers that planted it hoping to get a crop. We need to give Myron and Mary and producers such as those that own this corn and their families that depend on the food grown in this country the certainty of a farm bill. We cannot wait for the next disaster. We need to do our job. We need to continue to provide for our families across this country that need affordable food policies and depend upon this country and the security that a strong food program can bring them through doing a farm bill now.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the reported death of Sacagawea, and to celebrate the contributions she made to our country's development. She was only around 25 years old at the time of her death, but she accomplished much in her short life. Sacagawea is remembered for guiding Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who were leading the Corps of North Western Discovery Expedition commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s. This journey took them from Missouri to the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest, and back again. Sacagawea was born around 1788 and was the daughter of a Shoshone chief. She was later kidnapped by an enemy of her tribe and married by the time she was only thirteen to a French-Canadian fur trapper. In 1804, she was commissioned by Lewis and Clark with her husband to serve as interpreters and joined the expedition with her newborn baby during the years 1804-1806. They led the expedition westward thousands of miles along the Missouri River and helped Lewis and Clark reach the Pacific Ocean before returning east. Unfortunately, her life story came to an abrupt end when Sacagawea was reported to have died on December 20, 1812 near present day Kenel, South Dakota. Despite her untimely death, her contributions to our nation and rich cultural heritage continue to live on to this day. We commemorate her life on this year that marks the bicentennial anniversary of her reported death. In the following weeks, Encounters of the Prairie, the South Dakota Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, will meet in order to commemorate the anniversary of the reported death of Sacagawea. I admire her unique and inspiring heritage and her role in the history of this country. Sacagawea walked thousands of miles carrying her infant on her back, all the while using her skills as a guide and as an interpreter. After 200 years, Sacagawea is remembered for her abilities, perseverance, and impacts on this country and will continue to inspire us all.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Madam Speaker, today, I wanted to bring to the attention of my colleagues something that is of utmost importance to this country and our food supply and to this Nation's farmers and ranchers. It is the importance of getting a farm bill done. Growing up on a farm in South Dakota and then farming for years with my family, I certainly recognize how volatile the agriculture industry is. Our producers invest in seed and fertilizer, they put it in the dirt, and they hope that that fall that they have the opportunity to come back and harvest something that will provide for their family and provide food for this country and for this Nation. The crops that are grown are relied upon to fulfill the need that we have in this country and across the world. Farming's risky, but because growing our food is in the interest of our national security, we provide a safety net that keeps our farmers on the land in good times and in bad times. As you can see from these maps that I have here with me today, we are suffering through one of those tough times right now. Farmers can't control Mother Nature. Our farmers are facing one of the worst droughts that we've seen in decades. You just have to talk to a veteran farmer today to say that they haven't seen an instance like this since probably the thirties where we had such widespread, long-standing drought that they are suffering through. It has a real impact on folks in rural America, and the rest of America relies on that food to feed their families. I want my colleagues to get a picture of just how important the farm bill is to this country and to people in the real world. While it may be easy to ignore the drought if you're in Washington, D.C. or in other parts of the country, when I go home every weekend, and when I was home and traveling all across our State throughout August, it was everywhere around me. Just yesterday I had the chance to sit down with a couple of producers from South Dakota. Brent and Barb were here from Houghton, South Dakota, and it was evident to me that when I visited with them that their concern was more for the next generation than for getting through a couple of tough days right now. They spoke of their sons, the love they have for their land, and the responsibility that they feel in feeding this country and making sure that we have a future where the United States can grow its own food to provide for its own people. They wrote me a letter about what the farm bill means to them, and I wanted to read part of that letter to you: I know you share our feelings on the importance of the bill. It is not only necessary to us now, but also for our three sons who want to continue our farming operation which has been in our family for four generations. We are so thankful and proud that they want to return to the farm and we want to do all we can to provide them with the same opportunities we have had. The crop insurance portion of the farm bill has truly helped us in the past as we have struggled with wet conditions over parts of the last 20 years. Because of excess moisture, there have been years when we farmed less than half of our total cropland. Now, the tables have turned and we are experiencing drought conditions in some areas of South Dakota and we will again be relying on crop insurance. It is so important to our family farming operation as a business. It has allowed us to stay in business through the tough years. The safety net this farm bill would provide is crucial to not only rural farmers like us, but our State and country as a whole. Brent and Barb and other producers across America are in town this week. They were asking this House to take action on a farm bill to give them the certainty that they need to have confidence to plant next year's crop. It will support both rural America but also every single family that's out there buying groceries today. Later this morning, I'm going to be joining them at a rally that's called the Farm Bill Now rally. And I'll be asking my colleagues to take action to pass a farm bill. We need to get that farm bill done to know what the policies are going to be in the next 5 years. It's right for our producers, it's right for our ranchers and farmers, it's right for this country, and for every family out there who's wanting to put food on the table that they can afford through these tough times.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 6233, the supplemental agriculture disaster assistance bill. As we look across the United States, many areas, including South Dakota, are facing a serious drought. While many of our producers are covered by crop insurance, our livestock producers don't have the same safety net in place to weather this drought. That's why the livestock disaster programs are so important. The last farm bill was in place for 5 years, while the livestock disaster programs were only put into place for 4. That's why back in April I introduced legislation that would reauthorize those programs and retroactively look at 2012, recognizing that it was a dereliction of our duty, and to make sure that there was a safety net for our livestock producers, as well. The 2008 farm bill did not extend that disaster coverage for this year, but today we have the chance to make that right. This House should not go home while literally hanging our ranchers out to dry without a safety net to get through this drought. This need is immediate, which is why we need to get this done. Beyond this, I'm going to continue to advocate for a 5-year farm bill, knowing it's the right thing to do, making sure that these programs are put into place for the lifetime of that farm bill so that we can avoid situations like this. The full 5-year farm bill is the best way to get a long-term safety net for our livestock producers, and for our commodity producers, as well. We can't wait another day with this drought going on without giving our ranchers some needed certainty. That's why I'm going to urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' today, and to continue to work to get a 5-year farm bill.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to bring up a subject today that's on the minds of people all across this country, and this is the drought that is hitting so many people and our economy. I was recently in the northwest corner of South Dakota and had the chance to drive all the way across the State and visit with producers and communities that have been hit so hard. I'll tell you the facts are clear. We have feed shortages, stock dams are going dry, and there are escalating feed costs that are hitting our producers every single day. Our livestock producers undeniably take a great risk. They don't have the crop insurance programs that many of our commodity producers do have and that protects them and gives them a safety net. That's why our livestock disaster programs are so important. I was proud of the fact that I introduced legislation that reauthorized this bill's programs earlier this year and that they were included in the committee version of the farm bill that came through the House Ag Committee earlier. That's why it's so important that we get our farm bill work done and that we bring it to the House floor and have a vote so that our livestock producers truly can have a safety net that our commodity producers already enjoy.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, it's often through debate here on different bills and legislation that comes that we learn things about each other. We may learn facts about a bill that we're discussing or about experiences that we've all had. What a lot of people probably don't know about me is that I care deeply about this subject because I lost my dad in an accident on a farm. It was devastating to our family. But I thank God every single day for every moment that I had working beside him, growing up on the family farm. It was there that I learned how to pick out good land and look for good soil. It's where I learned how to identify a cow that would be a good mother or a good milker. And it was there that I learned to look at a problem and not just talk about it, but to actually solve it and to fix it. So my children are having that same experience with me. We get the chance, when I go home from here, to work together, to work with our livestock and our animals, and we love it. I would be devastated if a Washington bureaucrat came and told me that no longer could I teach my children the way of life that was passed on to me by my father because of a decision that they decided they would be safer, that that was no longer allowed. So that is why I stand here today in support of H.R. 4157, Preserving America's Family Farms Act. The Department of Labor talked about putting this regulation in place. They withdrew it because of pressure from the American people who recognized that it was not the way to go about regulating family farms. And this act is just going to ensure that they can no longer take this action and put it into place. So with that, I proudly stand here, protecting our family farms and our way of life by endorsing this act.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this bill, which would repeal the President's health care law. We've known all along that this bill will cut a half a trillion dollars out of Medicare. We've known all along that up to 20 million Americans could lose their employer-sponsored health care coverage. We've known all along that this health care law has only made costs go up rather than go down or decrease since its passage. However, we now know that buried within the 2,700 pages of this bill is yet another tax that is going to hit and fall on the middle class. This is in addition to the nearly two dozen tax increases already in the law on everything from over-the-counter prescription medication to pacemakers. The American people were given a laundry list of promises, but very little of what was promised has turned out to be true. We owe it to every taxpayer, to every senior--to every American--to repeal this law and to pass real solutions that don't put Washington in charge of our health care.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 2942.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding to me, and I appreciate working with him on this important amendment. This amendment would increase funding for the Office of Science by $15 million while cutting an additional $15 million from the underlying bill. Mr. Chair, the field of high-energy physics is becoming increasingly competitive; and without critical deep underground research spaces, we will continue to put our historic leadership in this area at risk, while continuing to send our best and brightest overseas to conduct their research. But we can compete. Just this week in my State of South Dakota, the Sanford Underground Research Facility dedicated the Davis campus--4,850 feet underground. Later this year, this campus is scheduled to hold a dark matter detector that after only 4 days of operation stands to add more to our knowledge than all previous dark matter research experiments. We're not talking about subsidies and giveaways for ideas that are years or decades down the road. This is cutting-edge science that's within our grasp. We need to make tough choices in our current budget situation, but we also need to recognize the role that U.S. research plays in our ability to compete and to innovate. So I urge my colleagues to support our ability to lead the world in underground science in a fiscally responsible way, and I urge support of this amendment.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Today, I rise to mark a major milestone for an important installation in the State of South Dakota. This year is the 70th anniversary of Ellsworth Air Force Base. It is a privilege to stand here today on the House floor and honor the thousands of airmen who have been stationed at Ellsworth. I would like to personally thank every single man and woman who has served our Nation and the people of South Dakota at this base. Ellsworth has played an important role in this country and in our Nation's military since World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor sent our country into one of the most destructive wars that the world has ever known. Our country needed a large and immediate force to fight a two-front war--one in the Pacific theater and another one in Europe. Thousands of young men and women rushed into the military, and in response, our Nation built many new bases to accommodate the growing number of soldiers. In 1942, a small Army base was established near Rapid City, outside Box Elder, South Dakota. Its original purpose was to train the crews of the Boeing B 17 Flying Fortress. Later in the war, the base trained and deployed B 29 Superfortress crews, which were instrumental on the Eastern front. During World War II, the base was so successful that it was changed to permanent status. Yet, sadly, a tragedy struck. While returning from a training mission, an RB 36 Peacemaker aircraft crashed in Newfoundland. Later that year, President Eisenhower came to South Dakota and dedicated the base, renaming it after Brigadier General Richard Ellsworth, who perished in the crash. Ever since then, the base has kept the name Ellsworth Air Force Base. Ellsworth continued to prove itself as an enduring asset during the Cold War. In fact, during the first major international event of the Cold War, B 29 bombers from Ellsworth were sent to help in the Berlin Airlift, and as the Cold War progressed, so did the capabilities of Ellsworth. The aircraft at Ellsworth were used as an intimidating deterrent to our potential enemies. The base also became a hub of missile activity, transporting and storing Titan and Minuteman missiles. Without a doubt, Ellsworth was a crucial player in keeping peace during a very uneasy time in our Nation's history. Today, Ellsworth is the home of the 28th Bomb Wing with the B 1 Lancer, which is a shining example of resourcefulness. The aircraft was originally designed for low altitude nuclear payloads, but as the Cold War ended and as the demand for nuclear capability aircraft declined, the Air Force modified the aircraft for long-range conventional bombing runs. It has been described as the workhorse of operations in Afghanistan. Most recently, B 1s from Ellsworth Air Force Base were used in Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya. The B 1 has truly become the backbone of our long-range bombing force. In fact, earlier this year, the B 1 completed its 10,000th combat mission. It is an impressive milestone for any piece of weaponry. More recently, the Air Force selected Ellsworth to be the home of the unmanned MQ 9 Reapers. It is one of only two bases on the ground that has the control capabilities of these high-tech aircraft. It is a testament to the ongoing relevance of Ellsworth as a part of our national defense strategy. Ellsworth has also become an integral part of South Dakota's economy. In 2010, the base estimated that it supports over 1,500 jobs in western South Dakota, and that's not including the thousands of active airmen and -women. It is also home to the Air Force Financial Services Center. It is, without a doubt, an economic engine that keeps South Dakota thriving and vibrant. When I reflect on what makes Ellsworth Air Force Base so significant, I think beyond the impressive aircraft and the historical and economic significance that the base has to South Dakota. Instead, I think about the individual airmen, and I believe that the true strength of our Armed Forces lies with them. It doesn't come from the equipment that they use or from the aircraft that they fly. It is their courage, their resilience, and the bravery of these fine men and women. As great as the B 17s, the B 29s, the B 1s, and the MQ 9 unmanned Reapers are, nothing can compare to the everyday American servicemember. That's why I want to make sure, as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of Ellsworth Air Force Base, we don't focus only on the national importance the base has played or on the economic impact it has had in South Dakota. Instead, we focus on the individual airmen and on the sacrifices that they make every single day. It is the airman who leaves his family, who protects our country day in and day out and who responds to the call of duty. Each airman plays one small part in a larger operation. Whether they are pilots, navigators, engineers, munitions personnel, or air traffic controllers, each one plays an important role. I thank all of the airmen and -women who came to Ellsworth and who did their duty to the best of their ability. They've done so for 70 years and have done an incredible job. I would also like to commend the families of the airmen, past and present. I have heard from many of the military personnel and their families, and I am always inspired by their selfless commitment to our country. Every family member of our servicemen and -women make sacrifices. God bless them for staying strong and for providing a strong support system for our servicemembers who are stationed at Ellsworth and at bases across the country. Again, thank you, Madam Speaker, for allowing me to show my deep respect and appreciation for everyone at Ellsworth for its 70 years of outstanding service to our country. May God bless all who serve at Ellsworth.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of former South Dakota Congressman and U.S. Senator Jim Abdnor, who passed away yesterday at the age of 89. Jim Abdnor dedicated his life to serving the State of South Dakota and our country in whatever capacity he was serving. As Lieutenant Governor, as Congressman, U.S. Senator, even administrator of the United States Small Business Administration, Jim was a man who constantly put others first. South Dakotans who knew him remember Jim as an incredibly decent man who worked tirelessly for the State that he loved. In my personal interactions with Jim, I was always impressed by what a man of humility and integrity he was. A born and raised South Dakotan, he left a legacy of hard work, commitment, and selfless sacrifice that every resident of the Rushmore State can be proud of. I ask the South Dakotans and all those who knew him personally or of his legacy to keep his family and loved ones in their thoughts and prayers.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I was on this House floor commemorating the 70th anniversary of Ellsworth Air Force Base, which is in my great State of South Dakota. Our bomber fleet, the average age is 40 years old. Old dogs can learn new tricks, and our bombers are certainly doing that. They've been updated as much as they possibly can be, but they do eventually still get older. I will tell you that the B 1 bomber has performed admirably over the last three decades, and so has the B 2 and the B 52. But I will tell you, we must continue to upgrade and to maintain our bomber fleet. And I will tell you that prohibiting development of the new generation bomber for 10 years is shortsighted. It puts our national security at risk. I am going to urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Madam Speaker, for nearly 20 years the Violence Against Women Act has supported programs that assist victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual assault. I'm proud to support the legislation that's on the House floor today because it reauthorizes those programs, strengthens them by targeting more funding to programs that need it, and processing that needs it, and also gives some new provisions which I helped work on with the Judiciary Committee to better serve our Native Americans. This piece of legislation which provides services to all victims without discrimination has always enjoyed broad bipartisan support. Unfortunately, because some in Congress saw an opportunity to use abuse victims as a prop in a political game, today we're having a different discussion, and I feel it's shameful. House Republicans are not going to allow the Violence Against Women Act to get sidelined because of politics. It's simply too important. One area of particular concern to people back home in South Dakota is provisions for Native Americans and Native American women. Native American women suffer from higher levels of abuse than non-Indian women, but all too often they don't get to see their perpetrators brought to justice. It's simply unacceptable. This Violence Against Women Act improves upon many of the programs that are designed specifically to aid Native American women, and it also includes new provisions to improve Congress's response to potential problems they may run into. Furthermore, to better ensure that Native American women have improved recourse against abusive individuals, I worked with the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the staff to include language in this bill to empower Native American women to either petition individually the Federal courts or through their tribal courts for a Federal restraining order. Ensuring that these women have the ability to obtain a protection order is a vital step towards stopping the cycle of abuse that many of them suffer through. It impacts disproportionately those in Indian Country over other areas of the Nation. Those who have suffered from violence and abuse have gone through enough. Let's not cause more harm by putting politics before victims, and let's support and reauthorize the improved Violence Against Women Act today.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Today I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 3874, the Black Hills Cemetery Act. This bill is of great importance to many communities in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills in South Dakota is home to a number of historic communities and cemeteries. Many of these originated in old mining towns in the 1800s. They have unique significance to the surrounding communities. These include the Englewood Cemetery, the Galena Cemetery, Hayward Cemetery, Mountain Meadows Cemetery, Roubaix Cemetery, Nemo Cemetery, Rocker-ville Cemetery, Silver City Cemetery, and the Cold Springs Cemetery. These cemeteries are currently being managed by local cemetery associations or community groups in the surrounding areas, but have been technically owned by the U.S. Forest Service since the 1900s. This causes unnecessary liability for the U.S. Forest Service because of responsibility for upkeep and dealing with possible vandalism or damage to the property. The Black Hills Cemetery Act would simply transfer ownership of these cemeteries and up to 2 acres of adjacent land to the caretaking communities that have managed them for generations under special-use permits issued by the Forest Service at almost no cost to taxpayers. It also makes clear that these cemeteries will continue to be used for the same purpose as they have always been used in the past. I sponsored this bill at the request of these communities and the current caretakers of the cemeteries and in consultation with the U.S. Forest Service. An article by the Rapid City Journal talked about Dennis McMillin, who is chief of the local volunteer fire department that takes care of the Hayward Cemetery. He mentioned that passing this bill would make it less complicated for both the caretakers and for the United States Forest Service. He also mentioned that this bill is important because it allows for some expansion for those families who are still interested in burial plots. A lot of local residents have relatives buried in these cemeteries, so this coming Memorial Day, many will pay their respects to family members. Many of these communities will hold special services on the cemetery grounds in the coming weeks. After the House passes this bill, these families and communities are one step closer to having these cemeteries officially in their care and will continue to do an excellent job managing them. I would like to thank the communities and the local residents for their help in working with my office and for advocating for this bill. I would also like to thank Chairmen Hastings and Bishop and their staffs for helping me push this bill forward. It is important for those reasons that we pass this bill and that the Senate does the same. These communities have been asking for a solution to this situation for a number of years, and as their Representative, I'm glad we have the opportunity to pass this bill today off the House floor. I urge my colleagues to support and pass this bill for the communities in South Dakota.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. I thank the leader for yielding. You know, it never ceases to amaze me the misleading claims that will come from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle at times. One of them that has been talked about a lot here today is the fact that only the rich and famous would benefit from this piece of legislation. Well, I have been sitting back here, and I have been trying to think of even a handful of famous people in South Dakota that are going to benefit from this. I can't come up with it; but I've got over 20,000 jobs in the State of South Dakota, and 20,000 different businesses that are going to benefit from this piece of legislation. That's why I'm supporting it. My constituents in South Dakota so many times only look at government as an entity that costs them money and makes it very detrimental and hard for them to succeed. When the government can actually step in and do something that makes it easier for them to succeed and help drive that success, then that is something we should be behind, and that's why the Small Business Tax Cut is a perfect example of that situation. Small businesses create jobs, and they also employ almost half of all the private sector employees in this country. This bill is going to free up the cash so that those small businesses can keep people employed when they've hit tough times and maybe reinvest in their businesses. It's the key to what we need to do, and I hope we can all come together and support this good legislation before us.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the passing of Governor Bill Janklow, who served the state of South Dakota with great dedication and resolve. His persistence and ambition to achieve great things for South Dakota were truly one of a kind. My family's thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Dean and the rest of Governor Janklow's family during this difficult time. He was a passionate advocate for our State and will be missed. Because I will be attending his funeral service today, I will not be present for the vote on H.J. Res. 98, which states the disapproval of the President's exercise of authority to increase the debt limit. If present, I would have voted ``yes'' in favor of the resolution.

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. Madam Speaker, because I was attending the funeral service of Governor Bill Anklow today, I was unable to be present for the vote on H.J. Res. 98. If present, I would have voted ``yea'' in favor of the resolution. Stated against:

Mrs. NOEM

Mrs. NOEM. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1633 because I coauthored this bill with my friend and colleague from Virginia (Mr. Hurt), and I did it to bring certainty, regulatory certainty to farmers and ranchers across this country. Farmers and ranchers have been working on this issue for a long time. We look forward to passing it off the House floor today. It's not a partisan issue. I introduced this with my colleagues Mr. Boswell and Mr. Kissell, and 121 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle are cosponsors. The Clean Air Act has a worthy goal, but it's not a perfect law, and it does have unintended consequences. My bill would improve the current statute. It also makes permanent what the administrator has said, which is that she did not intend to regulate farm dust. As South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal said, ``If we don't deal with this issue today, it's going to be right back here 5 years from now.'' I would like to reiterate why this bill is necessary. First, farm dust is already regulated. It is not a myth. It's very real to all of my constituents. We heard testimony from farmers in the hearing in committee that they're currently being regulated as a result of the EPA's standards. Regulation of farm dust is a problem today and will only continue to be a problem into the future if we do not pass this bill. If my colleagues will take the time to read the bill, they'll notice that this bill doesn't eliminate any regulations. It simply leaves the regulation of rural dust to the States and to the local communities who best understand how to manage what is happening in their own backyard. Too often, bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. who have never stepped foot on a farm or lived in rural America try to impose a one-size-fits- all approach to regulation. Let's be realistic. Dust in rural America is not the same as dust in urban areas. It's common sense that dust from a dirt road is much different than soot from a car; and it's common sense that they should be treated differently, which is exactly what this bill does. I would ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider this piece of legislation very carefully. Even if you're not from a rural area, this is still an important piece of legislation to all of us who rely on farmers to feed our families. You don't have to take my word for it. I have a letter here that I would like to submit for the Record of over 190 different organizations supporting this bill and its passage. Many of these organizations are local businesses and agriculture groups within all of our districts. They represent thousands and thousands of people across the country. Let's not forget that we all reap the benefits of the success of our ag producers through safe, nutritious, and affordable food. Let's not burden our communities with overbearing regulations. Let's pass this commonsense legislation and provide farmers, ranchers, and local businesses with the certainty that they need in an already volatile industry. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of rural America and vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1633. Dec. 5, 2011. Hon. John Boehner, Speaker, House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol, Washington,

Mrs. NOEM. I rise in support of the amendment that the gentleman from Arizona has brought to the floor. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would add a sense of Congress to this piece of legislation that the EPA should approach and exclude exceptional events and have a provision such as this. It would give us a consistent and a transparent manner for dealing with these events. Certainly, rural America and other parts of America need the certainty that the regulation is not triggered by natural events that are out of our control.