Johnson in Rapid City discussing Homestake lab and Tech research

By Bill Harlan, Journal staff
Article Source

RAPID CITY -- Sen. Tim Johnson discussed research projects Monday and fielded question from reporters in Rapid City.

It was the South Dakota Democrat's first day in Rapid City since he suffered a brain hemorrhage nine months ago in Washington.

"I've been looking forward to getting back here," Johnson said during a half-hour briefing at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Johnson returned to work in the Senate on Sept. 5.

The senator spoke slowly, often pausing between sentences or even words, but he also joked and laughed -- even at his own stumbles.

He also quickly got down to business

"Has that $10 million of ours been put to good use?" Johnson asked Dave Snyder, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority.

"Yes," Snyder said. Snyder gave Johnson a brief summary of progress on converting the Homestake gold mine in Lead into an underground laboratory. Johnson had pushed $10 million for the project through the Senate in 2001, and the money finally is being used to reopen the mine for use as a lab.

Then Johnson turned to Charles Ruch, president of the School of Mines. "How about you?" Johnson asked.

Johnson, who is on the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped put $10 million for research at South Dakota Tech into the military spending bill for fiscal 2008.

The money would pay for several research projects at the school. One project would develop lighter, stronger armor for troops in the field. Another would improve surveillance by unmanned aircraft. A third project would look for ways to better protect against "improvised explosive devices."

"That I.E.D. thing is terribly important to me," said Johnson, whose son served in Iraq.

The money for SDSM&T has not been signed into law. The House version of the same appropriations bill calls for slightly less spending, Johnson said, and the measure hasn't been scheduled for a conference committee.

But Johnson said military-appropriations bills were least controversial this year and "least likely to be vetoed." He was optimistic all three Tech projects would survive.

Johnson said increased research at the school and at an underground science lab in Lead could work together to change the way scientists nationwide regard the Black Hills.

"The day is coming when the reputation of the Black Hills is going to be impressive," he said.

Johnson was less optimistic about the 2007 farm bill.

"That's more problematical," he said.

Strong disagreements, even within parties, over funding for farm disaster relief and commodities programs have slowed negotiations.

The Monday briefing was in Ruch's office, which was crowded with reporters and staff, and though it wasn't billed as a homecoming, that's how Johnson is greeted these days after his brush with a life-threatening event.

Control of the Senate will be closely fought in 2008, so Johnson's health also is a national issue. Responding to a question Monday, Johnson said, "I'm inclined to be a candidate for the Senate again, but time will tell."

Pressed on when he'll decide, Johnson glanced up at his wife, Barbara, who was standing nearby, and smiled. "Let's say that is still being debated," he said.

Johnson used a wheelchair to get around Monday, and he shakes hands with his left hand. Still, his dry sense of humor seemed to have survived intact.

"As you probably can tell, my speech is not up to 100 percent," he told reporters. "But my doctors tell me that it will be in good shape ...," Johnson paused briefly to find the word, then added, with another smile, "someday!"

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