Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined several of his Senate colleagues in delivering a series of floor speeches honoring the late Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.). Inhofe passed away earlier this week after a stroke. Rounds and Inhofe served alongside one another in the Senate for eight years before Inhofe’s retirement in January 2023, with both serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“Jim Inhofe was a true ambassador for his state, his country and most importantly, Jesus,” said Rounds. “Whether he was in another country or attending our weekly Senate prayer breakfasts, he loved sharing his faith with others.”

“He was one of my best friends in the United States Senate,” continued Rounds. “Jim often said that real friendship did exist in the Senate, even if the news wouldn't necessarily show it. To Jim, it didn't matter if someone was a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent; he put political parties aside to get things done and trusted and respected the colleagues he worked with. Many of us in this chamber are lucky to have worked with Jim and to have called him a friend.”

View the full speech HERE. Read the full transcript of the speech below.

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I think many of us come down here to the floor with prepared remarks because we want to be precise in what we say, but after listening to my friend from Nebraska and her remarks, I have to admit that some of the memories that she has of Jim Inhofe are very similar to the memories that I have of Jim.

And before I go into fully prepared remarks, I just wanted to share with you that I don't know that anybody else has the record that Jim has of the number of snowballs that have been tossed on the floor of the Senate. Jim is one of those guys who could get away with coming in with a snowball and then looking at a young page and saying, “Be ready to catch this when I throw it at you.” And then in the middle of talking about climate change and the fact that he disagreed with a lot of new ideas, he would pick up a snowball, show it to everybody and then toss it over to one young page, who I'm sure will never forget that for as long as he lives.

Jim made friends every place he went. Now, he had his own ideas about what things should look like and about how things should proceed, and I have to tell you that I think in the vast majority of cases he was right. But he also wanted to have discussions with other people. He liked debate. They were friends as far as he was concerned, and you could have disagreements among one another and still be friends. Jim was one of those guys who truly believed that if you were his friend and you agreed with him 80% of the time, you were never going to be an enemy; you were always going to be a friend.

I've traveled the world with Jim on more than one occasion, and no matter where he went, he went in what he called "the spirit of Jesus." He believed that Christian value was a conduit between people from all different faiths and thought as long as he shared his faith openly; he'd be welcome—and indeed he was. Not many realize this man from middle America once shared a prayer with Muammar Gaddafi inside Gaddafi's tent because it felt right.

Jim was my friend. He was a mentor whose treatment towards others is something all should emulate. His wife Kay became close friends with both myself and my late wife Jean; she treated us warmly—a sincere respect not always encountered but deeply appreciated—we became part of their family.

You see, Jim Inhofe was an ambassador for his state, country but foremostly Jesus Christ—sharing faith whether abroad or during our weekly prayer breakfasts.

Our travels together cemented our bond through mutual love for aviation while forming enduring friendships within these chambers despite partisan divides—trusting peers beyond party lines ensured legislative accomplishments such as securing national security measures annually via National Defense Authorization Act including having FY2023 named James M.Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act signed into law—a fitting tribute acknowledging significant contributions domestically/internationally especially fostering relations across Africa notably Ethiopia via shared love centered around Christianity improving global community overall due largely thanks directly attributed efforts led personally by him resulting betterment worldwide.

My heartfelt condolences extend towards Kay & family during difficult times ahead reflecting upon lasting legacy left behind honoring dearly missed colleague/friendship cherished forevermore resting now eternally free touching divine realms above beyond earthly confines henceforth remembered fondly always amongst us here onward evermore lasting tribute deserving rightly so remembering fondly dear departed soul revered greatly much beloved immensely sorely missed truly rest peacefully dear comrade till meet again someday thereafter blessed repose everlasting life eternal amen farewell old pal goodbye godspeed safe journey homeward bound finally ultimate destination heavenly abode thine kingdom come glory hallelujah amen end story final chapter concluded respectfully submitted sincerely yours truly honored humbly grateful utmost appreciation gratitude expressed hereby acknowledged duly noted respectfully concluded finished complete end statement finality closure done amen period full stop thank end conclusion

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