Bowman Recalls Janklow's Big Heart

PIERRE, SD - Even though it's been a while since Bill Janklow roamed the hallways at the state capitol, many of his contemporaries remain.  One of those people is Deb Bowman.

She is a senior advisor in Governor Dennis Daugaard's administration and served in many capacities under Janklow.

Bowman says while some people have viewed Janklow as aggressive and brash, he had a softer side.

"He had one of the biggest hearts of anybody I have ever known.  And he didn't show that to a lot of people," Bowman said.

Bowman remembers the action he took after seeing the small TV a group of people with mental illness were forced to crowd around for entertainment. 

"He said, 'Deb, they had this little, tiny TV and there were about 20 folks gathered around it and I knew they couldn't even see the screen.  So I went out and bought them a big-screen TV.  But I don't want them to know that," Bowman said.

Bowman was tasked with getting the TV delivered without letting them know that Governor Janklow was behind it.

Listen to more of Bowman's memories of Janklow by clicking on the video player below.