Speech
Preserving and enhancing America's wilderness areas and the National Park System are priorities for me in Congress. As a member of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, I have a responsibility to be a thoughtful and diligent steward of these irreplaceable treasures so we can pass them to future generations intact. Both Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are within the boundaries of Minnesota. Today, these protected areas are treasured by the people of my state and visitors from across the United States.
Lou, thank you so much for that introduction, and thank you to Native Nation Events for inviting me to be here with you all today! During your conference, you are going to hear from experts about changes you want to make to improve health care in Indian Country and you all know there is a lot of work to do.
Good evening. It is such an honor to receive this very special award and the recognition of a community committed to ending hunger.
(As prepared.)
Thank you, President Ford, for the kind introduction. Ford Bell is doing great work at the American Association of Museums.
This is not a partisan issue. I am a Democrat, but it was my Republican Mom who took me to the library. She is the one who taught me to ride the bus from South St. Paul to the science museum. For a child whose family had financial challenges, museums and libraries provided education opportunities to me.
It is an honor to be with you this morning - to thank you for the work you are doing.