Burgum: Beam signing marks significant milestone for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora
Gov. Doug Burgum participated in a beam signing ceremony for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the presidential library.
The project has raised over $270 million in private donations, far surpassing the $100 million that was originally required to trigger a $50 million state endowment whose earnings will be used to help fund operations and maintenance of the library. Burgum, who championed efforts to secure the state endowment, noted the $50 million remains in state hands as it generates investment earnings, and that the presidential library is on track for a grand opening on July 4, 2026, on the nation’s 250th birthday.
“This historic milestone that we have today is one of many that we’re going to have as this great project moves forward,” Burgum said during the ceremony. “We’re on a journey to create the best presidential library in the nation. This will have biggest impact on generations to come, and it’s going to be a library worthy of carrying the name of our 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.”
Burgum expressed his gratitude to the state Legislature for approving the $50 million endowment, which he called a “catalyst” for the project, as well as private donors, the Roosevelt family, local officials, library board members and leadership – “everyone who’s dedicated themselves and their time and their resources to help make this happen, knowing how important it is to create a place that will inspire leadership and action and self-discovery.”
He also thanked the state’s congressional delegation of U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Rep. Kelly Armstrong for introducing legislation seeking $50 million in federal funding to support the preservation and display of Roosevelt materials in the library’s museum.
Those who visit the library will draw inspiration from the bold and courageous life that Roosevelt lived, including his time in the North Dakota Badlands, Burgum said, referencing Roosevelt’s famous quote, “I have always said I would not have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota."
“We’re setting out here to create a presidential library and museum for one of the most intriguing and most impactful figures in our entire country, and we need TR more than ever,” Burgum said. “We’re not just building a building. We’re building an institution, an institution that’s going to be framed around citizenship, leadership and conservation – the three pillars of what TR brought.”
Keynote speakers announced for eighth annual Recovery Reinvented Oct. 30 at Bismarck Event Center
Gov. Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum are inviting the general public to join them for Recovery Reinvented, an event dedicated to eliminating the shame and stigma of the disease of addiction, on Oct. 30 at the Bismarck Event Center. The event will also be livestreamed.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and is currently open for both in-person and online attendees.
This will be the fourth time the event has been in Bismarck, having also been hosted in Minot last year, once in Fargo, once in Grand Forks and virtually in 2020. The daylong event will feature state and national addiction and recovery experts who will focus on reinventing recovery through the sharing of stories, creating recovery-friendly cultures in the workplace and community, and eliminating the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction.
The keynote speaker lineup includes:
- Dr. William Moyers is the vice president of public affairs and community relations at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Since 1996, he has been a passionate public advocate for addiction treatment and recovery, delivering powerful messages to audiences nationwide. As a person in long-term recovery, Moyers is dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding addiction and has traveled extensively sharing his story and insights. He was a keynote speaker at the first Recovery Reinvented conference in 2017.
- Gregory Tatro serves as the co-founder and co-executive director of Jenna’s Promise, a treatment center based in Johnson, Vermont. Tatro’s life changed in 2019 with the death of his sister Jenna from an overdose. For six years, the Tatro family struggled alongside Jenna as she wrestled with an increasing addiction that took over her life. Witnessing firsthand the gaps that existed in substance use treatment within the national model, the family was determined to forge a new path. First with themselves, and then with a growing group of like-minded professionals, their organization, Jenna’s Promise, emerged as a grassroots movement for change. Gregory Tatro has been deeply involved in the creation and development of their innovative village model which aims to shift the paradigm of substance use disorder treatment and create better outcomes for individuals in recovery, as well as support the struggling rural Vermont community that houses the campus.
- Natasha Silver Bell is the founder and CEO of SilverBell Global. A Midwest farm girl born in Montana and raised in Michigan, Silver Bell was crowned Miss Michigan USA at 19 years old and went on to place in the top six at Miss USA. This success led Silver Bell to New York, where her career as a Ford model was cut short after four years by her struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. After becoming sober in 2008, Silver Bell embraced the unexpected future that opened up for her when she was introduced to the art of recovery coaching. Inspired to reinvent traditional recovery journeys by creating sustainable pathways to mental wellness, she began sowing the seeds of what would one day become SilverBell Global’s multidisciplinary approach to recovery. She also is a co-founder of the Inservice Foundation, dedicated to providing mental health support to underserved populations, and Youth Prevention Mentors (YPM), empowering and activating young adults through mentorship and risk mitigation.
Their full bios can be read on Recovery Reinvented’s website.
On Recovery Reinvented’s social media, there will be the opportunity to share and submit stories of recovery. Addiction and recovery-related nonprofit organizations and service providers also are encouraged to join the Recovery Resources Expo, which will connect people to extensive addiction, recovery and mental health organizations and resources from across the state. Anyone interested in these opportunities to get involved can visit recoveryreinvented.com to learn more and sign up.
Registration is open on Eventbrite, with additional updates being shared on recoveryreinvented.com and by the Governor, First Lady, and Recovery Reinvented’s social media on Facebook @GovernorDougBurgum, @FirstLadyND and @RecoveryND and on Instagram and X @FirstLadyND and @Recovery_ND.
Miller delivers remarks at North Dakota Peace Officers Association annual conference
Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller attended the North Dakota Peace Officers Association's 113th annual conference on Thursday in Fargo, sharing gratitude for the work by law enforcement to keep communities safe.
"We’re thankful for these heroes out there every day on the front lines, keeping our citizens safe, bringing lawbreakers to justice, building relationships with community members and creating a safe environment for people to thrive," said Miller. "We know that a big reason North Dakota is a safe place to live – with close-knit communities, good schools, a strong economy and a high quality of life – is due to the professionalism, the vigilance and the amazing courage of our law enforcement officers."
The Burgum administration had made it a priority to "Back the Blue," including expanding workers' compensation coverage, providing $3.5 million for hiring and retention bonuses, exempting law enforcement retirement pay from state income tax and reducing costs of routine medical exams for full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers.
More elk hunting opportunities possible on public lands
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing additional elk hunting opportunities on public lands in North Dakota at four national wildlife refuges.
The proposal includes an additional 100,000-plus acres at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge (58,939 acres), Upper Souris NWR (32,026 acres), Lostwood NWR (27,331 acres) and Des Lacs NWR (14,145 acres).
If the proposal is approved after a 30-day public comment period ending Sept. 3, hunters pursuing elk on these lands must use non-lead ammunition. The USFWS intends to finalize the proposed changes in time for the upcoming 2024-25 hunting season.
Nominate a member of Team ND for the Governor's Awards for Excellence in Public Service
Every day, members of Team ND are making a difference in the lives of our fellow North Dakotans to Empower People, Improve Lives and Inspire Success. Team members at every level are going above and beyond to put our citizens first by working across teams, agencies and branches to solve problems and rise above challenges.
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service are an opportunity for each of us to share our gratitude for the many individuals who collectively make Team ND a world-class organization dedicated to its citizens. We encourage all members of Team ND to think about those team members who go above and beyond to serve citizens, to support the team and to create a stronger North Dakota. Then, recognize their efforts with a nomination for a Governor’s Award!
Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 31, and team members can submit several nominations across nine award types:
- Heritage Award for Excellence in Citizen Focus
- Telegraph Award for Excellence in Technology
- Pioneer Award for Excellence in Innovation
- Zezula Award for the One Who Helps
- Landmark Award for Excellence in People Management
- Frontier Award for Excellence in Continuous Learning
- Harvest Award for Excellence in Quality
- Sodbuster Award for Excellence in Growth Mindset
- Roaming Bison Award for Excellence in Work as One Culture (team award)
Recognition is made possible through your active participation. Last year, more than 600 members of Team ND were recognized in nearly 1,000 nominations submitted. This year, we hope to recognize even more exceptional Team ND members.
Main Street ND Summit registration is now open!
Registration is open for the 2024 Main Street ND Summit taking place Aug. 27-29 in Watford City.
The Main Street ND Summit provides an opportunity to join forces with local leaders, experts and passionate citizens to share winning strategies, spark fresh ideas and chart a course for regional prosperity.
This year's theme, "Regional Prosperity," is a call to action. Bring a neighbor, colleague or classmate and get ready to return home energized and equipped to build a brighter future for your community.
Beyond the inspiring sessions, the Main Street ND Summit offers a variety of exciting activities to immerse yourself in the heart of Watford City:
- Main Street Kickoff Street Fair (5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27): Enjoy a mechanical bull, wagon rides, live music, food trucks, and local shopping.
- Long X Visitor Center Little Market, Green Mile Block Party, and City Trail Walk (5-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28,): Explore local vendors, stroll through the park, and walk the city's historical trail.
- Arts Reception (5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28): Mingle with artists and staff from the North Dakota Council on the Arts.
- Main Street Bison Sip 'n Paint (7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28): Unleash your creativity in this beginner-friendly painting class (separate registration required).
Don't wait – secure your spot at the Main Street ND Summit and book your hotel room today!
NDRIO to host Inaugural Investment Seminar
The North Dakota Retirement and Investment Office will host its Inaugural Investment Seminar, “Optimizing Returns for North Dakota’s Future" on Sept. 25, 2024, at the Bismarck Public Schools Career Academy.
This seminar is designed to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of North Dakota's investment strategies and the broader economic landscape. It will also be an excellent opportunity for community leaders, members of the public, and industry professionals to learn about sound investment practices and the future of North Dakota’s financial growth.
2024 Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism Now Open
The North Dakota Governor's Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism is back, inviting residents to capture the beauty and excitement of our state for a chance to win cash prizes and statewide recognition. This year’s contest is a partnership between the Governor's Office, AAA of North Dakota, North Dakota Tourism and the North Dakota Council on the Arts.
“North Dakota is a state of extraordinary beauty and diverse experiences, and this photo contest is a wonderful opportunity for residents to showcase what makes our state special,” Gov. Burgum said. “We encourage everyone to participate, capture the magic of our seasons, and share their unique perspectives with the world. Let’s celebrate North Dakota’s beauty together and inspire others to discover our great state.”
This year's theme highlights North Dakota's diverse seasons, showcasing the unique appeal of our state throughout the year. Photographers can submit entries in eight categories:
- Winter Scenery & Winter Activities
- Fall Scenery & Fall Activities
- Spring Scenery & Spring Activities
- Summer Scenery & Summer Activities
The contest is open to all North Dakota residents. Photographers can submit their entries online through Instagram, the contest website, or Flickr, or by mail. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2025.
Winners will be chosen in each category, with a grand prize winner receiving an additional cash prize and a free AAA membership. Winning photos will also be displayed in the State Capitol and used in promotional materials.
Full details and contest rules can be found at https://www.ndtourism.com/governors-photo-contest-entry.