Page 1 - 2019-annual-report
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T            he Trail of Governors expanded to a total of 25 statues by the


                                                                                                    close of the year 2019. The life-size bronze statues of Govs.
                                                                                                    Samuel H. Elrod, Archie Gubbrud and Dennis Daugaard
                                                                                                    were added to the trail during the summer season.

                                                                                       An unveiling ceremony for these latest statues was held in the Capitol
                                                                                       Rotunda on Flag Day, June 14, with a large crowd. It was a special celebration
                                                                                       with newly elected Gov. Kristi Noem at the podium along with Gov. Dennis
                                                                                       Daugaard who left the Governor’s Office a few months earlier.
                                                                                       The Trail of Governors Foundation continues to raise funds and commission
                                                                                       artists for the statues. The foundation does not have an office, a phone or
                                                                                       staff. What it does have are volunteer board members, loyal advisory
                                                                                       members, and a close working relationship with the South Dakota
                                                                                       Community Foundation. The SDCF oversees the trail foundation’s funds.
                                                                                       Fundraising challenges have become more significant as governors nearer to
                                                                                       the beginning of statehood are commissioned without any or many family or
                                                                                       staff members still living.

                                                                                       The foundation nears the point at which all former governors are cast in
                                                                                       bronze, and that target is by fall of 2021. Thereafter, only governors leaving
                                                                                       the office will be the focus of the foundation’s efforts to raise funds for each
                                                                                       statue and organize an unveiling ceremony.

                                                                                       The trail is a feat considering its humble beginnings, from a sidewalk
                                                                                       conversation between two foundation board members, Leroy Foster and
                                                                                       Rick Jensen. That friendly chat led to a trail funded by private donors
                                                                                       contributing almost two million dollars.

                                                                                       A new event was added to the unveiling weekend in 2018, and that is the
                                                                                       Run with the Govs 4K run that takes place the Saturday morning following
                                                                                       the Friday unveiling. Those participating in the run along the trail route grew
                                                                                       from the inaugural event to 2019’s event, and the group organizing this event

           FOUNDATION’S 2019 ANNUAL REPORT                                             has hopes that the participant numbers will continue to grow.
                                                                                       As more governor statues are added to the trail, more South Dakota
                                                                                       history lessons are shared with South Dakotans and visitors. Each statue
                                                                                       reveals some details about that specific governor, from the era during which
               Governor Dennis Daugaard – 32nd Governor of South Dakota                they lived to their values and lifestyle.
                   M. Michael Rounds - 31st Governor of South Dakota
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