Resolutions › Resolution 11: Resolution honoring the life of William J. Janklow

WHEREAS: William J. Janklow grew up in Flandreau and served his country in the United States Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS:  He talked and cajoled his way into the University of South Dakota, graduated and went on to law school there and became a skilled courtroom advocate to vigorously represent his clients in the United States courts, the State of South Dakota courts, and tribal courts; and

WHEREAS: He sought election and won office and admirably served the State of South Dakota as Attorney General and chief law enforcement officer for four action-packed years in the 1970s; and

WHEREAS: He was blessed with vision and ability, saw needs and opportunities, and sought and won election as governor four times, serving the people of our state in an unprecedented fashion as governor for 16 years; and

WHEREAS: He unquestionably transformed the state with his immensely farsighted vision and tremendous leadership skills; and

WHEREAS: He deeply loved his family, his state, public service, his record collection, the Chicago Bears, and the young and underprivileged people of our state; and

WHEREAS: His passing on January 12, 2012, has left a void in policy and politics in South Dakota; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the South Dakota Republican Party honors the memory and legacy of Governor Bill Janklow.