Dan Lederman

South Dakota State Senator Dan Lederman (R – Dakota Dunes) announced today that he has been selected for and will participate in the prestigious Henry Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by the Council of State Governments (CSG). The Henry Toll Fellowship Program is one of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government officials and the most widely recognized one serving all three branches.

“I am looking forward to an intensive learning experience that will enhance my ability to work with others to seek solutions for the problems South Dakota faces,” Lederman stated about the Toll Fellowship.

The annual week-long seminar, named in honor of Henry Toll, a Colorado senator who founded CSG in 1933, works to empower leaders from all three branches of state government.

The CSG Toll Fellows program brings individual state leaders together in a way that no other program can. It provides for an inspiring week of introspection, group dynamics and adaptive leadership training. It is designed to help state officials learn more about themselves as leaders, how teams function, how to communicate more effectively and how to reignite their passion to govern.

“I look forward to the 2014 Legislative Session and using the lessons I’m going to learn through this program to better position South Dakota for new growth opportunities,” stated Lederman.

Click here to see the full 2013 Toll Fellowship Class.

Kristen Rarrat of Jefferson is currently serving as a Senate Legislative Page at the Capitol in Pierre. Kristen is a senior at Elk Point-Jefferson High School. Rarrat plans to attend SDSU majoring in Biology with an emphasis on pre-veterinary medicine.

State Senator Dan Lederman stated, “I want to thank Kristen Rarrat for all her hard work during this legislative session. I am proud to have sponsored her and expect to see her excel in her future endeavors.”

Each session the Legislature utilizes high school seniors as pages. Pages are appointed to serve in the House of Representatives or the Senate. Application is made through a sponsoring legislator. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Applications are available at: http://legis.state.sd.us/page

Kimberly Chow and American Legion Post #319

Kimberly Chow was named the winner of the American Legion Constitutional Oratorical Contest on January 3rd. She will compete at the district level contest in Wagner on January 13th. Ms. Chow’s speech focused on the evolution of our Constitution and how it has adapted to an ever-changing society. Below is an excerpt from her speech:
“Through the power of our votes, our letters, and our lobbying, we can revolutionize our country. We select our representatives and our senators to voice our opinions. Through them, we can make amendments, we can make laws, we can change laws, we could impeach our government leaders, raise or lower taxes, declare wars, ensure peace, and everything that the Constitution states our government can do, we can do.”
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is an opportunity for students seeking funding sources for continuing education and an academic challenge. Students learn about our country’s Constitution in a contest that has been held by The American Legion for more than 70 years.
The main purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.

From the Madison Daily Leader:

District 8 Sen. Russell Olson of Madison considers it an extreme honor to be elected unanimously as Senate Majority Leader for another two years.

“It is a great reassurance that my colleagues appreciate my leadership style and that they are confident in the direction we are headed,” Olson said Tuesday (today), a day after he was re-elected by the Republican caucus.

In addition, Tim Rave of Baltic was elected as Assistant Majority Leader, Corey Brown of Gettysburg won election to the position of President Pro Tempore and three whip positions were filled by Larry Rhoden of Union Center, Ryan Maher of Isabel and Dan Lederman of Dakota Dunes.

Senator Russell Olson spoke of the choices for Majority Whips:

“These guys are seasoned legislators (who) will quickly relate to our new and diverse caucus,” Olson said.

Read the full story here

Senate Majority Leader Russell Olson