|
Congresswoman
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin grew up on her family's
farm and ranch near Houghton, in Brown County.
She graduated from Groton High School and received
both her undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown
University in Washington, D.C.
Since
she was first elected in 2004 as South Dakota's
lone member of Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin
has prioritized issues important to the state.
Her positions on the Veterans' Affairs, Agriculture
and Natural Resources Committees allow her to
play a central role in shaping policy suited to
South Dakota's interests. Through her role on
the Agriculture Committee, she helped to craft
the Farm Bill reauthorization that was enacted
in 2008. As the chairwoman for the Veterans' Affairs
Subcommittee for Economic Opportunity, she has
passed legislation to ease servicemembers’
transitions to civilian life – particularly
for the new generation of veterans returning home
from Iraq and Afghanistan. Her position on the
Natural Resources Committee allows her to focus
on issues affecting South Dakota's public lands,
including the Black Hills National Forest, as
well as issues critical to the nine sovereign
Native American tribes she represents, issues
like law enforcement, health care and infrastructure
essential to economic development. In addition,
during the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin
was selected to serve as one of just 15 members
on the Select Committee on Energy Independence
and Global warming, in recognition of her leadership
on and advocacy for renewable biofuels.
Rep.
Herseth Sandlin is a leader in the fiscally conservative
Blue Dog Coalition, which is committed to balancing
the budget and strong national defense. She is
also co-chair of the Rural Working Group, dedicated
to ensuring that rural voices are heard on issues
ranging from health care to education to energy.
Rep.
Herseth Sandlin has received a number of awards
in recognition of her public service, including
the Golden Triangle Award from National Farmers
Union, the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Congressional Award
from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans,
and the Small Business Advocate Award from the
Small Business Survival Committee. In recognition
for her work to help prevent the closure of Ellsworth
Air Force Base as well as her work on the 2005
federal highway transportation bill, she received
the Economic Development Award from the Associated
General Contractors of South Dakota. In 2006,
she was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans
by the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees).
Congresswoman
Herseth Sandlin is a member of the South Dakota
Bar, and worked with U.S. District Court Judge
Charles B. Kornmann in Pierre and Aberdeen. In
2003, she served as the executive
director of the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation,
and during that year also taught courses on public
service and politics at Augustana College in Sioux
Falls and South Dakota State University in Brookings.
Congresswoman
Herseth Sandlin currently lives in Brookings.
In 2007, she married former U.S. Congressman Max
Sandlin. Former Governor Ralph Herseth was Stephanie's
grandfather and Lorna B. Herseth, South Dakota's
Secretary of State, was her grandmother. Her father,
Lars, served in the state legislature for 20 years
and was the Democratic nominee for Governor in
1986.
|