releases: https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=D1103312-C31F-4FF7-8CF7-3B220E0071BF
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=D1103312-C31F-4FF7-8CF7-3B220E0071BF | Home for the Holidays | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. John Thune As Congress enters the homestretch here in 2017, Im looking forward to the opportunity to head back to South Dakota in the coming weeks to spend the holiday season with my friends and family. There are few things in life that are as important as spending time with those you love. Theres no better time than now, and theres no better place than South Dakota. A lot of things have changed over the years, to be sure. Most notably, my family has grown. Brittany and Larissa are both married and now have kids of their own. Many things have also remained the same. We still get together to share old stories and memories, as well as make some new ones along the way. Most importantly, though, we still celebrate Gods gift to mankind, Jesus, who embodies the true meaning of Christmas. Thinking of years past, I can still smell the lutefisk and lefse that my grandmother would make every Christmas Eve when I was a kid. Its funny how memories like that stick with you for a lifetime, but Im glad they do. Like many traditions I had as a kid, my familys holiday meals, for example, have evolved over the years, and weve replaced the traditional Norwegian lutefisk and lefse with clam chowder a Thune family favorite. It wouldnt be the holiday season without all of the festive decorations that adorn community buildings and neighborhood homes, large and small. South Dakota has so many talented holiday decorators that several were chosen this year for a special assignment at the White House in Washington, D.C.Jeremy J. from Emery and Candace S. from Watertown were both among a small group of volunteers who were selected to help decorate one of the most famous and well-recognized homes in the world. Its quite an accomplishment, and I know their families and communities are proud. Speaking of families, there isnt a holiday season that goes by that I dont think about the brave men and women around the world who are defending freedom on our behalf and the families who are missing them while they are away. While most people are concerned about getting the seasons most popular gifts, beating holiday traffic, or figuring out how many vacation days they need to use before the new year, our troops are putting it all on the line, sometimes thousands of miles away from the comfort of their friends and family. Theres plenty in the world today to be down about, but theres so much more for which we can be thankful. Im glad, as always, to be living in the greatest country, surrounded by the greatest people in the world. My wish this holiday season is that you and your family have safe and happytravels, wherever youre headed, and that your journey is filled with all of the joy and happiness that make this time of year so special. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |