Washington Report | Sen. Rounds

COLUMN WASHINGTON REPORT

SENATOR MIKE ROUNDS

I’ve had a busy last couple of months visiting communities across South Dakota and listening to feedback on the issues important to our state and nation. Here are just a few of the highlights:

• Visited with folks at the Brown

County Fair in Aberdeen and the State Fair in Huron - picked up a Forestburg melon for my wife Jean on the drive back home. • Toured the Shoreline Erosion

Project in Lower Brule to see the project fi rsthand and to receive an update on the project from the tribe and U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers. Stopped in Presho for lunch on the way home. • Joined the Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary for an hour long

Q&A discussion with questions ranging from Afghanistan and cybersecurity to banking and our veterans. • Discussed my strong support for Mandatory Country of

Origin Labeling and the USA

Beef Act at the R-CALF Convention in Rapid City. • Enjoyed a cup of coffee (or two!) with folks in Highmore and in Miller. • Spoke with Veteran Service

Offi cers from across the state at their annual benefi ts school held in Pierre. • Honored to participate in the dedication ceremony for the

Sanford Underground Research Facility’s M. Michael

Rounds Operation Center in

Lead. • Heard from business leaders during a ribbon cutting at Glacial Lakes Plastics & Rubber in Watertown and received a briefi ng at Raven Industries in

Sioux Falls. • Joined an agriculture panel at

DakotaFest in Mitchell to discuss the drought’s impact on producers and look ahead to the upcoming farm bill. • Hosted a panel discussion in

Fort Pierre with cattle producers who ranch near Gregory and White River, as well as retailers with locations in Mission, Oacoma, Pine Ridge,

Sisseton, Miller, Bonesteel,

Tyndall and Lake Andes.

I also wanted to remind you that my team and I are here to serve you. A large part of our offi ce’s workload includes helping citizens who are experiencing issues dealing with the federal government. We know these interactions can be frustrating, and we are here to help you get answers.

Some examples of help we can provide are:

• Help with Veterans Benefi ts: My offi ces can help with com-

pensation claims, military records and obtaining military medals. • Service Academy Nominations: I’m honored to nominate

South Dakota high school students to our nation’s elite service academies. Visit my website to apply. • Help with Other Federal Agencies: Our team regularly assists citizens in getting records or fi nding answers to questions with the Social Security

Administration, IRS, Medicare, or immigration.

We want to hear from you - whether you’re having diffi culties with the federal government or want me to know your opinions and suggestions on something happening in DC, give us a call.

The contact information for all fi ve of my offi ces is listed on my website: Rounds.Senate.Gov We are here to serve you.