Dalrymple: ND 'strong and growing stronger'

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Gov. Jack Dalrymple says North Dakota is

"strong and growing stronger" despite the economic problems in

much of the nation.

Dalrymple is giving his first State of the State speech to the

North Dakota Legislature on Tuesday. Dalrymple has been lieutenant

governor for the last decade, and he replaced former Gov. John

Hoeven after Hoeven resigned last month. Hoeven takes office this

week in the U.S. Senate.

Oil production has helped North Dakota to prosper, and Dalrymple

says the state is in a position to invest in its public works along

with education and human services programs.

He says now "is not a time to slow down," and that "we have

the opportunity to build North Dakota into the very best state that

it can possibly be."

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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