Al meets with local activists

Every year in Mankato, DFLers gather in the name of Dan and Verona Burton. Speeches are given, local leaders are honored, and fajitas are served. (I’m not actually sure that the fajitas are an 11 year tradition, but this year they were a featured guest.) And this year there was a ton to celebrate.

A roster of talented and passionate DFL freshman addressed the crowd. Sen. Kathy Sheran, Rep. Terry Morrow and Rep. Kathy Brynaert joined Congressman Tim Walz and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.

Check out Leigh Pomeroy’s piece “Populism is Alive and Well in Southern Minnesota” for an inside account of the evening - and a description of the incredibly moving speech given by Congressman Walz.

Speaking without notes, Walz held up his congressional voting card and emphasized how proud he was to use it to vote on legislation that helped the people of his district: issues like increased funding for veterans, ending the U.S. involvement in Iraq and fully funding Head Start. One recent vote that made him particularly proud was when he voted in favor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, which adds to existing hate crime legislation crimes based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability. “I remember looking at some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle prior to the vote,” he said. Their message was clear: A vote for this measure just might guarantee that this will be your only term in Congress. “But you know what?” Walz said. “I’d rather be happily teaching back here in Mankato and able to look at myself in the mirror each morning than being in Congress knowing I didn’t do the right thing.”

The crowd of more than 200 heard from the candidates for the U.S. Senate, too.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 7th, 2007 at 11:03 and is filed under From the Trail. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.