Vice President William Kindle said the tribe worked closely with Johnson. The outgoing senator was responsive when the tribe's housing funding was about to be cut.
"He's been real beneficial with us. We've just worked hand in hand with him," Kindle told KELO-TV. Johnson, a senior member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, never lost an election in his political career in South Dakota and the U.S. Congress. He had a close call in 2002 but won re-election by fewer than 600 votes -- all with the help of Indian Country. "I always voted for him every time. He is like a member of the family, like a tiospaye. He is a big brother to us," Rosebud member Ralph Eagleman told KELO. Johnson has served in the House and the Senate for 27 years so far. "I will be 68 years-old at the end of this term and it is time for me to say good-bye," he said at a press conference in South Dakota yesterday. In addition to sitting on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Johnson serves as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and as a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. He has used his positions to advocate for Indian health, education, law enforcement, water rights and trust reform. "From his early days in the state legislature to his distinguished career in the Senate, Tim has worked tirelessly to protect our environment, empower rural and Native American communities, and build a financial system that is better able to serve the American people," President Barack Obama said in a statement. Johnson said he will use the rest of 2013 and 2014 to advocate for tribal water projects. He was key in authorizing Mni Wiconi, an ongoing effort to improve services for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. “I’m proudest of all in my South Dakota projects, that I have brought the Indians and cowboys together in Mni Wiconi,” Johnson said yesterday. Get the Story:Indian Country Reacts To Johnson's Retirement (KELO-TV 3/26)
South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson will not run for re-election (KSFY-TV 3/26)
Democratic Sen. Johnson of South Dakota will retire, thankful for support during health crisis (AP 3/26)
South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson announces retirement (The Washington Post 3/26)
Tim Johnson: 'I've never been beaten' (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 3/27)
South Dakota Senator Won’t Run Again (The New York Times 3/27) Some Opinions:
Editorial: Thank you, Sen. Tim Johnson (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 3/27)
Our Voice: Johnson represented South Dakota tradition and values (The Aberdeen News 3/27)
Scott Crass: Tim Johnson Retiring: A Career On The High Road (The Moderate Voice 3/26)
Related Stories
Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota expected to
retire in 2014 (3/26)
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