Analysis · Floor speech · beta

John Thune

Republican on Recognizing the 125th Anniversary of Pollock, South Dakota 2026-07-13

177 words · 9 sentences · 11 clauses

Statement grade

Average 91 / 100

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Procedure 3%Claims 84%Thanks 13%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Mr. President, Procedure · 5 wordstoday I recognize Pollock, SD.Procedure Claims · 149 wordsThe town of Pollock will be celebrating its quasquicentennial July 17-19, 2026.¹ Pollock will host quasquicentennial events, including live music, fishing tournaments, parades, class reunions, ²and much more. Pollock is located in Campbell County, situated along the shores of Lake Oahe in north-central South Dakota.³ Like many communities in the area, Pollock originated from the Soo Line Railroad’s southern extension and drew in farmers, ranchers, ⁴and settlers who were eager to build a life in the northern plains. Pollock’s early residents embodied perseverance and resilience by relocating the town to higher ground when the construction of the Oahe Dam threatened to flood the original town site in the 1950s.⁵ Pollock is a close-knit community known for its deep agricultural roots and strong ties to the land and the river. Since its founding 125 years ago, Pollock continues to embody the South Dakota values and traditions that make communities thrive.⁶ Thanks · 23 wordsI offer my congratulations to the citizens of Pollock on their town’s quasquicentennial and wish them continued prosperity in the years to come.Thanks

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 82

2 of 2 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “today I recognize Pollock, SD.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I offer my congratulations to the citizens of Pollock on their town’s quasquicentennial and wish them continued prosperity in the years to come.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · no score

Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.

Respect · no score

Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Clarity · 100

0 of 2 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

Nothing lost points.

Claims · 6

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“Pollock will be celebrating its quasquicentennial July 17-19, 2026”Pollock, South Dakota will celebrate its 125th anniversary (quasquicentennial) July 17-19, 2026.search
2“quasquicentennial events, including live music, fishing tournaments, parades, class reunions”Pollock’s quasquicentennial events are scheduled to include live music, fishing tournaments, parades, and class reunions.search
3“Pollock is located in Campbell County, situated along the shores of Lake Oahe in north-central South Dakota”Pollock, South Dakota is in Campbell County and sits along Lake Oahe in north-central South Dakota.search
4“originated from the Soo Line Railroad’s southern extension”The town of Pollock, South Dakota originated from the Soo Line Railroad’s southern extension.search
5“relocating the town to higher ground when the construction of the Oahe Dam threatened to flood the original town site in the 1950s”Pollock, South Dakota was relocated to higher ground in the 1950s because the Oahe Dam’s construction threatened to flood its original site.search
6“Since its founding 125 years ago”Pollock, South Dakota was founded 125 years before 2026, i.e., in 1901.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15