On Thursday [1/12/2012] South Dakotans were brought out of their daily routines by the news that a political titan had died. The titans, Gods who ruled in Greek mythology before the overtaking of the Olympians lead by Zeus, have been portrayed as "good" and "bad" throughout history, much like former South Dakotan Governor William J. Janklow was and will continue to be. They were giants of their time that inspired fear and demanded respect and, even after their passing to a new generation of rulers, their memory lived on impacting the way those new rulers and people viewed the order of the world. And, whether or not you agreed with Bill Janklow, there is no denying that the impact left by his sixteen years as governor, the very public errors he made, and the sometimes controversial policies he enacted will continue to guide South Dakota politics and politicians for years to come.
So, today, a mere 24 hours after the news of his death, we look into the South Dakota Oral History Center archives to listen to the past and its connection to Bill Janklow: governor, friend, enemy, family-man, bully, political activist, South Dakota Titan.
The above clip is from a "special edition of Action News." Between Bill Janklow, in his first term as South Dakota Governor, and South Dakota Senator George McGovern.
Current Local News Article/Obituary
Sioux Falls, SD, Argus Leader Governor Bill Janklow: Larger Than Life http://www.argusleader.com/article/20120113/NEWS/301130020/Gov-Bill-Janklow-Larger-than-life-end?odyssey=nav%7Chead
- Jennifer McIntyre, SDOHC Digitizer/Curator
THANK YOU! For your interest in the SD Oral History Center!
To hear more interviews including William J. Janklow, please contact the South Dakota Oral History Center at sdoralhistorycenter@gmail.com.
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