THUNE REFLECTS ON HIS SOUTH DAKOTA ROOTS AND VALUES THAT SHAPED HIM

WASHINGTON, July 23 -- Sen. John Thune issued the following press release:

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune's remarks below (as delivered):

"Mr. President, over the weekend I headed back to Jones County, South Dakota, for my high school reunion.

"It's been a few years since high school, Mr. President - just a few.

"But it's amazing how the years roll away when you head back and see some of the people who shaped your high school years.

"Some of them are missing now, of course.

"Teachers.

"Coaches.

"Parents.

"My dad, who was a teacher at my high school, a coach at my high school, and the bus driver at my high school.

"And my mom, who served as the scho...