Senator Byron Dorgan (D. N.D.) announced yesterday that he will not seek re-election. I’ve never been to North Dakota, and I had only passing awareness of Senator Dorgan until this summer. That changed as a result of my work on behalf of Oregon National Guard soldiers exposed to sodium dichromate in Iraq.
Senator Dorgan has chaired the Democratic Policy Committee. In that role, he has held hearings on Army and Army National Guard soldiers’ exposures to sodium dichromate at the Qarmat Ali facility. Those hearings have been instrumental in exposing wrongdoing by KBR and others.
Senator Dorgan has proved himself a friend of our soldiers and their families. This is not simple bumper sticker “support our troops,” stuff. In comments made at the hearing in August 2009, Senator Dorgan made it clear that he is motivated by the simple proposition that we owe our vets more than pats on the back.
So I read this news with a heavy heart. Those of us who dare to challenge KBR for their misconduct have taken on a big and powerful foe. As every guy knows, when you’re in a barroom brawl, there’s nothing more welcome than a friend by your side. Thanks Senator Dorgan for your great work. We’ll miss you as we push forward.
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