Scott Louser, Minot
Every campaign season, negative attacks find their way into the political discourse and North Dakota is not immune to the process. I am writing not just as a political supporter of Representative Rick Berg, but from a personal perspective that I've experienced over the past two years. While serving as vice president of the National Association of Realtors for 2012, I've had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., for multiple purposes. During the same time, the community of Minot has worked hard to recover from the historic flood of 2011. In both capacities, I've seen a genuine concern for the well being of North Dakota residents.
In each of the many Minot and Washington, D.C., meetings, the questions Rep, Berg asks are about family, flood recovery, the economy and business in the Minot area in that particular order. He is a family person and shows genuine concern for other families. Mr. Berg takes the time to send personally hand-written notes when warranted, a skill lost on many in this day.
In January, I worked with legendary LSU basketball coach and Minot native Dale Brown to provide the local area "An Evening of Hope" which allowed for the North Dakota debut of "The Man in the Glass" documentary of coach Brown. The event raised more than $75,000 for the Souris Valley Unmet Needs Committee. Representative Berg was able to make last-minute arrangements to attend knowing the positive impact this event would have on our community.
In May, the National Association of Realtors held an historic Realtor "Rally to Save the American Dream" in D.C. The rally included nearly 15,000 Realtors from across the country and of the 535 members of Congress, only 12 attended the rally. Rep. Berg and Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota were two of the 12. North Dakota actually had a bus of Realtors drive across the country for the rally and Mr. Berg took it upon himself to meet the bus when they arrived late at night before the event to thank them and welcome them to D.C.
Representative Berg understands infrastructure and finance issues and asks insightful and sincere questions of local and state leadership as well as federal regulators and bureaucrats. I've watched him interact with Congressmen and Senators as well as our national association leadership. He has advocated on issues such as the extension of the national flood insurance program and extension of the mortgage forgiveness debt relief act later this year, both of which came from listening and learning about the needs of his constituents.
Representative Berg makes time for North Dakota citizens and is asking to serve our state in the Senate. Regardless of one's political persuasion, should Mr. Berg be fortunate enough to be elected, North Dakota residents can take comfort in knowing they have a good person carrying our label in Washington, D.C., as a senator.