Sen. DeKruif Says Goodbye

Dear Friends, This will be the last "Update" I will be sending as your State Senator in District 25. It has been an honor serving you in St. Paul these past two years. For me, redistricting changed my political future and led to my not seeking re-election. I leave behind many friends and colleagues that I hope to stay in touch with in the future. I've been blessed with the opportunity you my constituents afforded me, and I hope you were pleased with my conservative stand on the issues.

We accomplished so much these past two years in the legislature through responsible spending and slowing the growth of government. I hope the gains we made in turning the State budget from a huge deficit to a surplus isn't lost completely by the new majorities zest for spending and raising taxes. I know many of you share my concern for the "Right to Life" movement and the onslaught of "Environmental Regulation" with the incoming majority party in charge. I also have grave concerns in keeping our election process honest in Minnesota.

This Christmas season has been wrought with unrest with the school shooting in Sandy Hook, CT. I encourage everyone to keep these families in your prayers as they will be suffering their loss for some time. I hope they find some comfort in celebrating the birth of Jesus. May the ones who lost their lives find their way to heaven to rejoice in his presence!

This past weekend my family traveled to celebrate Christmas with my Dad and my side of the family in SW Minnesota and Christmas Day we will spend at home with our immediate family. Our grandchildren are growing and at ages 2 and 4 are enamored with the Christmas season. Carol and I are blessed to have our family so close; we get to enjoy them daily.

As I reflect back as to why I ran for office, it was to try and make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren. The freedoms and liberties we enjoyed seem to be slipping away, a little at a time. My Christmas wish is to have have the generations that follow us, be able to enjoy these freedoms and liberties as I did.I'm not sure what my political future holds but I will stay involved in some way. The opportunities are there if you want to look for them. I will continue my businesses to work in the permitting of oversized loads and Carol and I will be running the resort, so there won't be a shortage of things to do. If my political career were to be over and God's plan for me was to help raise my grandchildren to be productive citizens, I accept that challenge!

The prayers you have sent my way have been appreciated. Please also keep those in your prayers who cannot spend Christmas with their families. Especially remember those serving our county in the military as they put their lives on the line for us everyday.

I wish you all a Blessed Christmas Season!

Senator Al DeKruif