F-M flood fight mentioned often during Democratic-NPL convention in Fargo
With clay dikes still laid out on 2nd Street, the community’s latest flood fight was mentioned often throughout North Dakota Democrats’ two-day state convention at the Fargo Civic Center this weekend.
Many, including the state’s congressional delegation and Fargo Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney, praised the work of local law enforcement, the North Dakota National Guard, federal agencies and – most emphatically – the thousands of volunteers who worked to protect the community.
(Mahoney even included mention of his well-known 2009 flood attire when giving a nominating speech to Rep. Earl Pomeroy. Read the story on InForum.)
During the convention banquet Saturday night, Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar also addressed the most recent flood during a very poignant moment in her speech:
“I know you all have been through a lot in the last two years with the Red River floods, and we have, too,” Klobuchar said. “But using the same frontier spirit North Dakotans and Minnesotans have always shown, for two harrowing years the men and women of this community have joined hands, held back nature and saved lives.”
“A river may divide Fargo and Moorhead, but a deep friendship and common thread forever bind us,” she added. “We all know that we still have some work to do, North Dakota. But we will – together – build that diversion.”
But true to her nature, Klobuchar also exhibited quick-witted jokes that entertained those in attendance.
“You can always pick out someone from Fargo – or for that matter, someone from Moorhead – when they’re on the beach in Florida. They see a pile of sand and they automatically start looking for a bag to fill,” Klobuchar said to much laughter from the audience.
