Congressman Bruce Vento, who died Oct. 10 of cancer after more than 30 years of public service, is being remembered as a champion of working people.
"He was a loyal friend and advocate for building a better life for the working people of our state," said Bernard Brommer, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, which represents 400,000 union members.
Vento authored legislation to address the problem of homelessness, to protect the environment and to strengthen consumer laws. He was a strong proponent of workplace safety, workers' right to organize unions and public education.
"There's wasn't one single issue that he focused on to the exclusion of anything else," said Brommer, noting that Vento's broad vision was a key reason for his success. He was able to build bipartisan support for many of his bills.
A working person's lawmaker
Before election to the state Legislature and to Congress, Vento worked many blue collar jobs and belonged to several unions. He also taught high school science and belonged to the teachers' union. His father, Frank Vento, is a leader of the Machinists union and many members of the family belong to unions.
Vento's background gave him special insight into the needs of working families and a unique perspective as a lawmaker, Brommer said. The labor movement believes more working people need to be in public service and this year a record number of union members are running for office.
"Maybe this is our contribution to Bruce's legacy," Brommer said, "to make sure there are people who share his concerns running for public office. These people will come out of the labor movement."
Brommer said all the working men and women of Minnesota extend their condolences to Vento's widow, Sue, and to his entire family. "He will be missed but he won't be forgotten."
Vento's family is asking that memorials be directed to the Bruce F. Vento Science Educators Scholarship Fund at the St. Paul Foundation, 600 Norwest Center, 55 E. Fifth Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1797.
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Congressman Bruce Vento, who died Oct. 10 of cancer after more than 30 years of public service, is being remembered as a champion of working people.
“He was a loyal friend and advocate for building a better life for the working people of our state,” said Bernard Brommer, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, which represents 400,000 union members.
Vento authored legislation to address the problem of homelessness, to protect the environment and to strengthen consumer laws. He was a strong proponent of workplace safety, workers’ right to organize unions and public education.
“There’s wasn’t one single issue that he focused on to the exclusion of anything else,” said Brommer, noting that Vento’s broad vision was a key reason for his success. He was able to build bipartisan support for many of his bills.
A working person’s lawmaker
Before election to the state Legislature and to Congress, Vento worked many blue collar jobs and belonged to several unions. He also taught high school science and belonged to the teachers’ union. His father, Frank Vento, is a leader of the Machinists union and many members of the family belong to unions.
Vento’s background gave him special insight into the needs of working families and a unique perspective as a lawmaker, Brommer said. The labor movement believes more working people need to be in public service and this year a record number of union members are running for office.
“Maybe this is our contribution to Bruce’s legacy,” Brommer said, “to make sure there are people who share his concerns running for public office. These people will come out of the labor movement.”
Brommer said all the working men and women of Minnesota extend their condolences to Vento’s widow, Sue, and to his entire family. “He will be missed but he won’t be forgotten.”
Vento’s family is asking that memorials be directed to the Bruce F. Vento Science Educators Scholarship Fund at the St. Paul Foundation, 600 Norwest Center, 55 E. Fifth Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1797.