Conrad: Dorgan's Warnings, If Heeded, Could Have Prevented Recession

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) has released an official statement regarding the breaking news that his North Dakota colleague Byron Dorgan will retire at the end of 2010.

"Nationally he has been a foremost advocate for fair trade, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth," Conrad says. "If his warnings had been heeded, the economic downturn might well have been averted. Over and over, he has been proven right on economic policy, trade policy and so much more. He is the best colleague a person could ever have and an even better friend."

You can read the entire statement below the fold.

"Senator Byron Dorgan will have given 40 years of extraordinary service to North Dakota. It is a record of service unmatched in our state's history. His good work can be seen in every corner of our state.

"As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, his work has brought important resources to North Dakota. His creation of the Red River Valley Research Corridor is helping foster new high tech industries and the jobs that go with them. He persuaded colleagues to make important investments in our energy sector that will pay dividends for North Dakota and the nation for years to come. He won funding for critically important water projects and new veterans facilities. Byron Dorgan has produced important and lasting results for North Dakota.

"Nationally he has been a foremost advocate for fair trade, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth. If his warnings had been heeded, the economic downturn might well have been averted. Over and over, he has been proven right on economic policy, trade policy and so much more. He is the best colleague a person could ever have and an even better friend.

"Although Senator Dorgan is leaving the Senate at the end of 2010, I have a feeling that this will not be the last of his public service. It is my guess he will be on a short list of future Cabinet nominees to the Obama Administration in the coming years."