DORGAN HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING IN HETTINGER

Senator also tours local hospital expansion project

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

(HETTINGER, N.D.) – U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) held a community meeting here today where he discussed issues of importance to people in the area and gave a briefing regarding his work in Congress. Specific topics of discussion included bringing down fuel prices, opening up CRP land for grazing and the farm bill.

“We had a very good discussion today on issues ranging from energy development in the state to supporting our farmers and ranchers,” Dorgan said. “I always appreciate talking with good people of the Hettinger area, and hearing their thoughts on the important issues facing North Dakota and our country.”

Senator Dorgan updated the residents on his recent actions to bring down the price of oil, including his legislation to wring excessive speculation out of the oil futures market. He also spoke of the millions of dollars that he has secured for alternative energy research in the state.

Dorgan is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and chairs two key energy-related subcommittees.

The attendees also discussed the Senator’s recent actions to open up CRP land for haying and grazing, and his opposition to a recent ruling by a federal district judge that the Department of Agriculture could not open up CRP land under a program called Critical Feed Use.

As part of his trip to Hettinger today, Dorgan also toured West River Health Services’ Centennial Addition. The expansion project will open in stages and be fully functional in 2010.

“What’s going on at this medical facility is truly impressive,” Dorgan said. “It could serve as model for other rural health care providers in other parts of the country.”

The Senator spent the day traveling to communities in southwestern North Dakota, stopping in Hettinger for the two events.

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