10 Broadcaster Press September 17, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Farmers Want USMCA Vaping-Related Illnesses Reported In South Dakota By Rep. Dusty Johnson The six-week August break did folks some good – my colleagues on the right, and many on the left, are ready to get to work on passing the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). It’s amazing the spark that ignites when legislators spend six weeks hearing from their bosses back home. Democrats and Republicans are finding common ground on this issue – that’s a win for America. I spent the majority of my first week back in Washington meeting with ag groups to talk trade. On Thursday, farmers from across the country gathered near the Capitol’s reflecting pool to rally for the passage of this 21st century trade agreement. Farmers for Free Trade, a group led by former Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln, traveled by bus across the country to bring the message of USMCA to local agriculture communities. The last stop on the tour was the steps of our nation’s Capitol. During our rally, former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and President Zippy Duvall from the American Farm Bureau addressed a crowd of over one-hundred ag community leaders and legislators. Zippy urged both myself and my colleagues to “finish the drill.” I agree with Zippy – we are in the fourth quarter at the end zone, it’s not time to fumble. It’s no secret in Washington that for months now, Speaker Pelosi has held up a vote on USMCA. However, during our USMCA rally with producers, Democrat Representative Cuellar from Texas assured the crowd that USMCA was going to get done this year and Pelosi would put the bill on the floor. Producers received further assurance from Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson that USMCA would happen and needs to wrap up quickly so we can continue to leverage with China. Not only will this agreement bring certainty to our nation’s closest trading partners – Canada and Mexico – but it will provide farmers with the relief needed following unprecedented weather challenges and trade obstacles. Farmers don’t want aid, they want trade – exports would increase by $2.2 billion under USMCA. If we have the opportunity to open up new markets, we should take it. We are in our fifth year of a declining farm economy and commodity prices continue to go up and down. USMCA opens the Canadian market up for the first time to American dairy, wheat, poultry, and turkey products, further expanding exporting opportunity for America’s farmers and ranchers. There is no reason to delay the additional trade certainty USMCA would provide. President Trump and his administration did their job. They negotiated an agreement that protects American jobs and drives growth. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again and again until Speaker Pelosi brings the bill to the floor. Madam Speaker, we need to pass the USMCA now. PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Health is reporting two confirmed cases of vaping related illness among residents aged 20-24 years. South Dakota joins 33 states who have reported cases of severe respiratory illness from e-cigarettes. Patients typically experienced respiratory symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain, and may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or fatigue. “We will work with patients and healthcare providers to collect information to inform the national outbreak investigation and help CDC identify the cause of these illnesses,” said Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends individuals consider not using e-cigarette products while the investigation is ongoing. People who do use e-cigarette products should monitor themselves for symptoms and promptly seek medical attention for any health concerns. Regardless of the ongoing investigation, people who use e-cigarette products should not buy these products off the street and should not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances that are not intended by the manufacturer, such as illicit THC products. E-cigarette products should never be used by youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products. The South Dakota QuitLine offers free coaching to quit tobacco and vaping product use. South Dakotans can enroll in the program by calling 1.866.SD QUITS or by visiting SDQuitLine.com. To learn more about the national investigation visit CDC’s website. Department of Social Services Announces New Hospital Administrator Noem Appoints Sixth At The Human Services Center PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Social Services (DSS) has named Jeremy Johnson as the Human Services Center (HSC) hospital administrator. Johnson was named the interim administrator in June 2019. Johnson has been at HSC for 17 years in various roles. He has served in leadership roles most recently as the director of clinical services as well as the geriatric program director. “Jeremy brings valuable experience and knowledge to the role of hospital administrator,” said state Department of Social Services Secretary Laurie Gill. “I am confident he has the skills necessary to lead HSC and maintain the hospital’s high standard of care for patients and the people of South Dakota.” Johnson has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion and a Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa, Sioux City. Johnson is an active member of the Yankton community, volunteering at Servant Hearts Clinic and serving on the Yankton Area Homeless Shelter Board and the Yankton United Way Community Advisory Board. HSC is a licensed in-patient state psychiatric hospital and chemical dependency treatment facility which provides services for acute, psychiatric rehabilitation, geriatric, and adolescent patients. The hospital has been providing care to the people of South Dakota since 1879. The Department of Social Services strives to provide programs and services to strengthen, support, and protect children and families in South Dakota. For more information about Department of Social Services programs and services please visit our website at dss.sd.gov or visit a DSS local office. Circuit Judge PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem today appointed Margo Northrup to serve as judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. “Margo is honest, empathetic, and trustworthy,” said Noem. “Her commitment to justice will equip her well to serve the people of the Sixth Circuit. I am confident she will be an excellent judge.” “Serving the judiciary is an important honor and a grave responsibility,” said Northrup. “I believe that impartiality is the primary tenet of our judicial system and that the law must be carried out in a fair and unbiased matter above all else. I look forward to serving my community in this capacity.” Northrup grew up in the Pierre area. She attended the University of South Dakota where she earned an undergraduate degree in English and sociology, and the University of South Dakota School of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctor. Northrup has practiced at Riter, Rogers, Wattier and Northrup, LLP since 2004. Her practice includes administrative law, telecommunications law, business transactions, family law, criminal defense, and general through 4-H. Through participation in the State civil practice. Northrup has practiced in the Supreme Court of 4-H Ambassador Program, teens function as positive South Dakota, the Federal District of South Dakota, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Fifth Circuit Court role models for youth of Appeals, and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Court. in South Dakota, while She is a member of the State Bar of South Dakota and serving to support the the American Bar Association. She is admitted in the 4-H program through public relations. State 4-H State Court and the Federal District Court for the State of South Dakota. Ambassadors strive for When she’s not in the court room, Northrup enjoys continued improvement spending time with her husband and three sons. They are of the 4-H program by Pierre residents. serving as an agent of The Sixth Judicial Circuit Court is served by four change. Additionally, these individuals promote circuit judges and one magistrate and covers 14 counties. inclusion and respect for The administrative services for the court is based in Pierre.? diversity across 4-H in South Dakota. State 4-H Ambassadors must be a registered 4-H member, age 14-18, in good standing. Individuals on Scan our QR code with your smart the State 4-H Ambassador team have endless phone and discover the Broadcaster opportunities to grow and Online! expand their leadership skills. Learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity within 4-H through the 4-H page! State 4-H Leadership Ambassador Hosts Public Presentations Workshop BROOKINGS, S.D. - This summer, South Dakota State 4-H Leadership Ambassador Kate DeVelder co-hosted a public presentation workshop for Clay County 4-H members. DeVelder co-hosted the event with Aimee Sorenson, Instructor of Communications Studies at the University of South Dakota. Ten 4-H members attended the event and six of the members went on to participate in the county public presentations contest. Four of the six members were first-time competitors. DeVelder’s workshop covered a variety of public presentation topics, including how to pick a topic, how to create a basic outline for illustrated talks, four different types of public presentations and the requirements for each type of presentation. Attendees also refined their public presentation skills. Participants worked both collaboratively and individually on these topics throughout the workshop. At the end of the workshop, each participant presented an illustrated talk to showcase their new public presentation skills. During their term, each State 4-H Ambassador is required to facilitate an educational engagement in a 4-H project area of their choice. 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