Burgum, Dohrmann visit ND National Guard soldiers supporting CBP at U.S.-Mexico border
Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota National Guard’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, on Wednesday visited the 125 soldiers from the Bismarck-based 957th Engineer Company serving along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, getting a first-hand look at their border mission and thanking them for their service in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The multi-role bridge unit was mobilized in October as requested by the U.S. Army through the National Guard Bureau to continue the southwest border military mission that began in 2018. They are expected to be deployed for approximately one year.
“These highly trained North Dakota National Guard soldiers are serving a critically important role in support of U.S. border security efforts along the southwest border,” said Burgum, who serves as commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard. “From the southwest border to our shared northern border with Canada, border security affects every state in the nation, from ensuring the safe and efficient flow of goods and services to stopping illegal immigration and drug and human trafficking. We’re deeply grateful to our North Dakota soldiers for doing their part with courage and professionalism to support the efforts to end the humanitarian crisis and secure the southwest border.”
While at the border, Burgum and Dohrmann received briefings from CBP and Guard officials and met with the soldiers and command team from the 957th to understand first-hand the ground truth of the record number of illegal crossings into the United States.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the professionalism I saw within our soldiers during the visit down here,” Dohrmann said. “I also gained a greater appreciation for the enormous challenge that Customs and Border Protection is facing down here, and really gained an appreciation for the work they do, the professionalism of that organization. I’m proud and humbled that the North Dakota National Guard can be part of the solution.”
At nearly 2,000 miles long, the southwest border is the most frequently crossed international border in the world, with approximately 350 million documented crossings annually. More than 1.6 million migrants have been apprehended trying to cross the border illegally since January 2021. October data from CBP reported 164,303 apprehensions, a record for the month.
In the two months the 957th has been deployed at the border, members through their surveillance mission have assisted CPB in 30,000 apprehensions. For the year ending Sept. 30, CBP officials recorded nearly 260,000 encounters with migrants attempting to cross the border illegally, compared with 40,000 the previous year in the 957th’s operating sector.
Burgum was among 26 Republican governors who sent President Biden a letter in September requesting a meeting with the president to discuss the ongoing crisis at the border. The request has not been granted.
Created in 1987, the 957th has a rich history of mobilizations and has been extremely active the last 20 years, with several key deployments including Iraq in 2003-2004, Kosovo in 2009-2010 and Kuwait in 2019-2020. The unit also contributed to North Dakota’s historic statewide flood fight in 2011.
Five years after taking office, Burgum, Sanford reflect on state’s historic progress and challenges during 2021
Gov. Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford on Wednesday marked the fifth anniversary of being sworn into office, reflecting on a year filled with historic progress on infrastructure, workforce, economic development and other priorities, as well as major challenges including extreme drought conditions and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“As always, North Dakotans have responded to this year’s unprecedented challenges with incredible strength and resiliency,” Burgum said. “Our administration continues to draw inspiration from the hardworking citizens of our great state as we strive to empower people, improve lives and inspire success.”
In his January 2021 State of the State Address, Burgum called for bold action to move the state forward. He worked with the state Legislature to deliver a landmark $680 million bonding package to support infrastructure improvements across the state. The package includes flood control, roads, bridges, water projects and an agricultural products development center – all with using Legacy Fund earnings and without raising taxes. The water project funding includes $435.5 million for the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo area flood diversion, $74.5 million for Mouse River Flood Control at Minot and a $50 million revolving loan fund for water projects.
As recommended in Burgum’s Accelerate ND proposal, a special session of the Legislature in November also invested hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding into infrastructure, including a proposed west-to-east natural gas pipeline to support communities and economic growth; workforce development including career centers where high school students can pursue high-demand careers; economic development programs and energy projects; and health care and behavioral health enhancements.
Burgum proposed and signed into law an income tax relief package that will provide an estimated $211 million in relief to approximately half a million North Dakotans in tax years 2021 and 2022. The governor also signed legislation eliminating the state income tax on Social Security income, making North Dakota the 38th state to eliminate the tax. As a result, approximately 20,000 North Dakotans will save an estimated $14.6 million per biennium.
The administration worked closely with stakeholders to usher in several of the largest economic development project announcements in state history, with a focus on diversifying the economy and adding value to the state’s raw commodities. The projects include ADM’s plans to build a $350 million soybean crush and refinery in Spiritwood, N.D.; plans by Bakken Energy LLC and Mitsubishi Power Americas Inc. to establish a world-class clean hydrogen hub; and Cerilon Inc.’s plans to build a $2.8 billion gas-to-liquids complex in Williams County.
Sanford also spearheaded the administration’s efforts on the sale of Coal Creek Station, the state’s largest coal-fired power plant, to Rainbow Energy – avoiding a shutdown of the plant, saving jobs and preserving baseload power generation.
Together, these projects will play a major role in North Dakota’s agriculture, energy and overall economic growth, along with efforts toward the governor’s goal, announced in May, of making North Dakota the first carbon-neutral state by 2030.
Burgum also appointed several members to the governor’s cabinet: Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Nathan Davis, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Dave Krabbenhoft, Commerce Commissioner James Leiman, Parks and Recreation Director Cody Schulz, Department of Water Resources Director Andrea Travnicek, State Health Officer Dr. Nizar Wehbi, and Game and Fish Department Director Jeb Williams. Stacey Breuer also joined the cabinet as chief people officer.
Burgum thanks Stenehjem, Wardner as they announce retirements
Gov. Burgum thanked Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner of Dickinson for their longtime service as both announced they will not seek re-election in 2022.
Stenehjem is the longest-serving attorney general in North Dakota history, having held the position for 21 years. He was elected as the state’s 29th attorney general in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. Stenehjem also served in the North Dakota Legislature for 24 years, including four years in the House and 20 years in the Senate, where he was chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1995-2000.
“Wayne Stenehjem is the epitome of a dedicated public servant. We are deeply grateful for his more than four decades of exemplary service to the State of North Dakota, both as a legislator and attorney general, a position he held longer than his three predecessors combined,” Burgum said. “As the state’s top law enforcement officer for more than 20 years, Wayne’s chief concern has always been the safety and well-being of North Dakota citizens, and our state is a better place because of his devoted service. We very much look forward to partnering with him on important initiatives during his remaining time in office to keep our state moving forward.”
Wardner has represented District 37 in the Legislature since 1991, serving as Senate Majority Leader for the past 10 years.
“Senator Wardner continues to demonstrate the qualities of a true statesman who fights for the betterment of all North Dakotans. Wardner is and has been a servant leader within both chambers and also an educator and passionate coach. His dedication to improving infrastructure, especially during the Bakken boom, supporting K-12 career academies, higher education and tribal partnerships, and advocating for those working for the state will have a positive impact for generations to come,” Burgum said. “Kathryn and I also would like to express our gratitude to Senator Wardner and Kayleen, his wife of over 50 years, for their ongoing work on addiction and recovery.”
Burgum also expressed his gratitude for the longtime service of Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman of New Rockford and longtime Bismarck Rep. George Keiser, who also announced their retirements last week.
Governor's Office participates in food drive challenge organized by State Auditor's Office
The Governor's Office was among six state agencies that participated in a food drive challenge organized by the State Auditor's Office, collecting over 2,300 items to benefit people in need through the Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry.
While the Governor's Office finished first in the challenge, as Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry Co-Chair Pat Jergenson said, “The real winner here is the folks who will now be able to have a Christmas meal with their family.”
Team ND is working as one to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) and other state agencies continue to work to slow the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota and administer safe and effective vaccines. In partnership with federal, local and tribal partners, Team ND has tackled this pandemic through a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach.
- For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, see the NDDoH website.
- NDResponse.gov is your one-stop site for the latest news, as well as state and federal resources for COVID-19.