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Honoring service
Border entry fee study sparks northern opposition By MANUEL VALDES Associated Press SEATTLE — By Michael Hill’s estimation, 90 percent of the people pumping gas at his station just south of the U.S.-Canada border in Washington state are Canadians. Gas north of the 49th parallel, he said, is about $1.30 per gallon more expensive than in the United States. But that’s not the only product that Canadians seek in visits to Washington state: Beer, wine and milk are significantly cheaper — beer and wine alone are roughly half the price in the U.S. Add a strong Canadian dollar and the result is a key element of the economy in the towns of Whatcom County. For example, the town of Blaine, population just shy of 5,000, generates over $225,000 from a penny per gallon gas tax, which is about 30 percent of its street maintenance budget. That’s why Hill and others are troubled by the notion of charging a fee to enter the U.S. by land. Last month, in its 2014 fiscal year budget proposal, the Department of Homeland Security requested permission to study a fee at the nation’s land border crossings. “It’s a deterrent,” said Hill, whose station is fully stocked with wine and has a
reader board that says “Thank you Canadians.” “They should be doing anything they can to get them down here to buy more,” he added. That lone request sparked wide opposition among members of Congress from northern states, who vowed to stop it. A fee, they say, would hurt communities on the border that rely on people, goods and money moving between the U.S. and Canada. “The imposition of such a toll would act as a barrier to the greater economic integration that we seek, and is the absolute last thing we should be doing to grow our economy,” stated a letter sent to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano earlier this month signed by 18 Republican and Democratic House lawmakers. Democrat U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont is sponsoring an amendment to the immigration reform bill that bars Homeland Security from conducting the study. The senator has also promised to stop any funding for the study. In t h e Ho u s e , D e m o c r a t Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington state introduced a bill to stop the creation of a fee. This week an amendment by Democrat Rep. Bill Owens of New York to stop the study was introduced to Continued on 7A
ABOVE: Members of the North Dakota National Guard Military Funeral Honors give the cannon salute during the Memorial Day Ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. BELOW: Medal of Honor recipient Clinton Romesha holds his 2-year-old son Colin before speaking at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Capitol. LEFT: Veteran Charles Cullen bows his head in prayer during the Memorial Day Service at the Capitol in Bismarck. Cullen served in Korea from 1953-55. (WILL KINCAID/Tribune)
General Electric aims to improve fracking By KEVIN BEGOS Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — One of America’s corporate giants is investing billions of dollars in the new boom of oil and gas drilling, or fracking. General Electric Co. is opening a new laboratory in Oklahoma, buying up related companies, and placing a big bet that cutting-edge science will improve profits for clients and reduce the environmental and health effects of the boom. “We like the oil and gas base because we see the need for resources for a long time to come,” said Mark Little, a senior vice president. He said GE did “almost nothing” in oil and gas just over a decade ago but has invested more than $15 billion in the past few years. GE doesn’t drill wells or produce oil or gas, but Little said the complexity of the fracking boom plays into the company strengths. Wells are being drilled horizontally at great depths in a variety of formations all around the country, and
that means each location may require different techniques. There are also big differences in how surrounding communities view the boom. There’s been little controversy in traditional oil and gas states such as Oklahoma, but nearby landowners in Pennsylvania, Colorado and other states have complained of environmental and health effects. “My own view is (those) things can be managed,” Little said of concerns about drilling, adding they need to be managed carefully. He drew a parallel to GE’s work with the aircraft industry, since many decades ago flying was considered a risky business, but the industry evolved so that even as the speed, distance and number of flights increased, overall safety improved greatly. Little also pointed out that GE has significant experience in wind energy, solar, and in nuclear power. “I think the world needs all of these kinds of systems,” Little said. Continued on 7A
Honoring a day of remembrance By PAYTON RANDLE Bismarck Tribune Selfless dedication. Great acts of valor. The ultimate sacrifice. Never forget. These were several of the phrases heard time and again at Memorial Day ceremonies held in Bismarck on Monday. Veterans and current service members of all ages and their families spent the day remembering and honoring the men and women who have dedicated their lives, in any capacity, to the protection of the United States of America. The day of remembrance included a ceremony held at the Capitol as well as a ceremony at North Dakota Veter-
“All of those that served deserve our honor and require our utmost respect.” Clinton Romesha, former U.S. Army staff sergeant ans Cemetery. Gov. Jack Dalr ymple spoke at the cemetery, which he called “one of the most sacred sites in the state of North Dakota.” “Ordinary people performing extraordinary acts of valor. That’s who we honor here today,” Dalrymple said. “And all who enjoy
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blessings of liberty live in their debt.” Other officials, including Sen. John Hoeven and Rep. Kevin Cramer, offered remarks at the ceremonies, but the keynote speaker was former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha of Minot, who earned the Medal of Honor during his tour in Afghanistan. Romesha said Memorial Day is about honoring fallen heroes and their sacrifices made on the behalf of others. “On this day, America will place flags on graves, visit memorials and as they walk past the names (of the fallen) families will grieve for their loved ones,” he said. Kim Schuler and Allen Vietmeier always come out to the cemetery to honor
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those who have served. Along with his two greatnewphews, Schuler and Vietmeir sat at the grave of her stepfather, Kenneth Hendrickson, who served for almost 20 years in the National Guard and died in 2004 while serving a tour in Iraq. “It’s nice to be around other people who are here for the same reason,” Vietmeier said. “It’s amazing to see the honor.” Romesha looked around at the headstones of the fallen service members and deemed the place fitting. “Each of these stone markers stand like soldiers in formation,” he said. “And each of these resting heroes have their own story to tell.” Continued on 7A