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• Argus Leader, March 26, 2013
• Thank you, Sen. Tim Johnson
• These days, we would say he's "got our back."
• For 28 years, Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., has had the back of South Dakotans in Congress.
• He has helped secure money for the Lewis & Clark water development project, fought for country-of-origin labeling for meat and voted in favor of Social Security and other programs for seniors. He favored the farm bill and conservation efforts and was an ally of the state Indian tribes. He also worked in conjunction with the state delegation to secure money for the downtown railroad relocation in Sioux Falls and to save Ellsworth Air Force Base from budget cuts. A moderate Democrat, he's worked on thousands of smaller things for individual constituents and the state as a whole.
• In between the work in Washington, where he was named Senate banking chairman, he has kept in contact with South Dakotans and continued to feel like he was "one of us." He's a South Dakotan who traces his roots back for generations, a University of South Dakota graduate and a hard, often behind-the-scenes, worker.
• Although his speech changed and he uses a scooter for mobility after a brain hemorrhage in 2006, he -- along with a well-chosen, experienced staff -- worked as hard as he could for South Dakota. And people re-elected him, just like they had time and time again. He never lost a statewide election.
• Most politicians have detractors, and granted some don't always appreciate Johnson. In recent years, he has been less visible in the state, for example.
• On Tuesday, our senior senator said he will retire after serving out his term until 2015. He's 66, and it's time to plan for a slower pace with his wife, Barbara, and their grandchildren. He'll come home to South Dakota to live but might spend some winter months in Virginia as well, he said.
• Before he goes, Johnson has some work he'd like to finish and he has a laundry list of priorities with a promise that he will continue to work hard to make the people of South Dakota proud. We encourage those efforts. His announcement is the beginning of a long campaign to fill his seat, and we need a senator who will remain attentive and engaged for the people of South Dakota.
• While there still will be almost two years before Johnson leaves his Senate post, today it's appropriate to thank him for his generosity of time, knowledge, commitment and grace to a state that benefited from his work.
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