Retiring Senator Tim Johnson Lauded for His Work in Indian Country (Native News Network)

Native News Network
(3/28/2013 7:10 AM, Levi Rickert)

US Senator Tim Johnson, D - South Dakota, who formally announced he will not seek a fourth term and will retire after the 113th Congress is being lauded for his work he has done in Indian country.

"With Senator Johnson's retirement, Indian country has lost a steadfast friend and a fierce advocate," said Barry Brandon, Executive Director of Native American Financial Services Association.

"For more than a quarter century, Senator Johnson has fought tirelessly to represent the interests of tribes in his home state of South Dakota and across the nation. His voice on our behalf will be sorely missed as the Senate continues to take action on issues which affect us."

Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, chairwoman of the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs released the following statement on Wednesday: "It has been my honor and privilege to serve with Senator Tim Johnson from my first days in the Senate and as a member of the Committee on Indian Affairs. Senator Johnson has left a tremendous legacy in Indian country, in South Dakota, and across the United States of America. We thank him for his perseverance, his hard work, and his lifelong service to the people of South Dakota."

"Senator Johnson has made a substantial impact across Indian country with his leadership in passing the landmark Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act, and by sponsoring the Mni Wiconi legislation that provided quality drinking water to three reservations in western South Dakota. Tim has also brought focus to the need for improving the public safety in Tribal communities through the enactment of the Tribal Law of Order Act, and most recently the Violence of Against Women Act. I look forward to continuing to work with him during these next two years in the Senate to build on this impressive record of accomplishment for Indian country."

Through his positions on the Indian Affairs Committee, Appropriations Committee, and as Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Sen. Johnson fought for projects and programs that provided better access to economic development, health care, housing, and education. Nine American Indian Tribes are located in South Dakota, including the Cheyenne River Sioux, Crow Creek Sioux, Flandreau Santee Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux, Oglala Sioux, Rosebud Sioux, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Standing Rock Sioux, and Yankton Sioux.

As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Johnson invited Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan to South Dakota to witness the housing challenges in Indian country and has held hearings about how federal agencies can work together to better solve the housing problems that plague Indian country. He also was a cosponsor of the Native Culture, Language, and Access to Success in Schools CLASS Act, which emphasized culture in the Native education system.