Education Minnesota mourns death of former Gov. Wendell Anderson

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ST. PAUL, Minn. July 17, 2016 – Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement Sunday in response to the death of former Gov. Wendell Anderson:

"Wendell Anderson was a visionary leader and consistent advocate for Minnesota’s working people. As a legislator and then governor, he championed the rights of organized labor and the value of investing in education. In 1971, Gov. Anderson signed the Public Employment Labor Relations Act, the watershed law spelling out collective bargaining rights and the right to due process for public employees. His leadership ensured that the state accepted responsibility for equitable education funding and to support local governments that deliver services directly to Minnesota’s people. The boy from the East Side of St. Paul grew to govern with faith that human capital is the essential investment in a better Minnesota. He heard the voices of educators and other public servants and acted on our behalf in the halls of power."

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.