Remarks by:
Warren L. Jamison
Greater North Dakota Association Awards Banquet
Thank you members of the Greater North Dakota Association. Thank you to my friends and well wishers, who came in support of this award. To Mike Dwyer and his staff, including my staff, who kept the award a secret. Mostly, thanks to my wife, Diane.
It is often said that success has many fathers. The successful passage of the Dakota Water Resources Act, a $630 million authorization, has many fathers. It is not so important who gets credit for the passage as what we do next.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What some of us call results are just beginnings." That is the way I look at the landmark legislation.
Dylan Thomas wrote, "Do not go gentle into that good night. Old age should burn and rave at close of day/rage against the dying of light."
While with each passing day, like you, I am becoming more of an expert on old age. That is not my point tonight.
I would instead ask you why so many people are willing to "go gentle into that good night". We should not allow myths to exist - like you can't fight city hall, you can't fight the federal government or the system, or Congress will never go for that - it is too much.
The ink on the legislation, which many said would never pass, was hardly dry when people started predicting that we would never actually get the money. There will be those who say that you can't appropriate the money. It is a bad time to go to Congress for money. I've been involved in this for 30 years and never once have I heard anyone say that it is a good time to ask for money.
"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." (Dale Carnegie)
I would say to you, think big. There are great opportunities for North Dakota ahead. Think positive about appropriations. Think leveraging $630 million. Think about the vision for North Dakota's future in a very broad way without artificial side boards, and then look for ways to use this authority to help realize that opportunity. Think in new ways. Think of a different form of irrigation. Think of our natural resources, think of our people with cultural uniqueness as attractions. Think about opportunities for nature-based experiential tourism and all that goes with it. Think about new opportunities that reliable, quality water supplies make possible in the rural areas. It is a wonderful time with great opportunities - all we need to do is develop a positive attitude.
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Two older gentlemen were sitting outside a far off monastery. Months passed without a word being said between them. Finally, one said "Life is like a well."
Several months go by when the other one spoke, "Why is life like a well?" he asked.
Two months passed, then the first gentleman turned to the other and said, "All right, have it your way - Life isn't like a well."
Don't be like the old gentlemen and give up or go gentle into the good night. Go in fighting for your vision and never give up!
Thanks again for this honor.
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