SDCGA recognizes Sen. Tom Hansen with Legislative Award

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) presented Sen. Tom Hansen a Legislative Appreciation Award at their 23rd Annual Meeting Jan. 10. The recognition is given annually to a visionary legislator who is passionate about leading our state to the next level.

A lifelong resident of South Dakota, Sen. Hansen was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2000. He sat out the 2002-03 session; then he returned to the Legislature on the Senate side in 2004 and has served there ever since. He presently serves the people of Jerauld and Hand Counties and a significant portion of Beadle County.

His leadership in the Legislature has been impressive. In the House he served on the Commerce and Local Government committees. In the 2009 Senate he will be a member of the Agriculture committee, Chair the Taxation committee and serve as Vice Chairman of the Health and Human Services committee.

“From the SDCGA’s perspective, the corner post of this leader’s accomplishments and activities has been his unwavering support and lead sponsorship of the Eminent Domain bill, which was critically important to our state,” said Bill Chase, president of the SDCGA. “Despite all odds Sen. Hansen was courageous in making sure the right thing was done for our state, allowing for important infrastructure to go forward.”

Hansen holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Animal Nutrition from South Dakota State University and is employed as a part-time Nutrition Consultant for Tri Tech Inc. in Huron.

He and his wife Marge have two grown children and four grandchildren.