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League of Conservation Voters
“Throughout his career, Al Franken has been a strong voice for the American people, using wit and wisdom to call our attention to our country's most important challenges. As gas prices rise and global warming threatens our way of life, Washington has never been in greater need of his leadership. This country needs a leader like Al Franken to lead the fight for new sources of energy that will protect our planet, end our dependence on oil, and create millions of jobs.”
-Gene Karpinski, National President
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Former Vice President Al Gore
“Al's been one of the hardest-working activists in our party for a long time. I've appreciated his support and friendship for years, and I know I'm not alone. And if we're going to use our majorities in Congress to affect real change, we're going to need Al's sharp wit and strong convictions.” |
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DFL Veterans Caucus
“Al Franken can stand on a record that goes back several years of having supported veterans and active members of the military. He's spoken out on the treatment of our soldiers at military hospitals, the need for better body armor and better armored vehicles, the rapidly growing incidence of PTSD in our returning troops, and a desire for all Americans to share in the sacrifices being made on their behalf by the men and women who serve. He has voiced his concern for fair treatment of veterans through his books and editorials, and by using the bully pulpit of his nationwide radio program.”
-Jim Bootz, Chair
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DFL Disability Caucus
“We, the DFL Disability Caucus, are pleased to publicly endorse Al Franken for U.S. Senate. A few reasons why we feel that Franken will be the best representative in Washington DC is because he understands housing, transportation and health care issues as they pertain to the disability community. Franken plans to have a diverse staff when he gets to Washington DC including people with disabilities.”
-Michael Cohen and Debra Burke, Chair and Co-Chair
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Stonewall DFL Caucus
“This race is important to all Minnesotans, and we know that Al Franken represents the promise of equality for the LGBT community. Our caucus proudly endorses Al because he's stood up for our community and talked about the issues that matter, even when it's not always comfortable to do so. We know that Al Franken will be a Senator that stands up for Minnesotans of every community  and one who will bring some sorely needed leadership to Washington. ”
-Del Jenkins, Chair
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DFL Feminist Caucus
“Al very strongly demonstrated an understanding of our issues and we know he'll represent us in Washington.”
-Jackie Stevenson, Political Director
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DFL Senior Caucus
“The DFL Senior Caucus recognizes Al's understanding of the needs of Minnesota seniors and families. As Al talked to Minnesotans in every corner in the state he has shown his desire to improve the legislation affecting seniors. Al's positions on vital Federal programs like Medicare and Social Security are fully in line with positions taken by the Senior Caucus. We applaud Al's candidacy for U.S. Senate and believe that, along with Senator Amy Klobuchar, Al will provide the kind of legislative leadership Minnesota needs and will be proud of.” |
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund
“The PPMNS Action Fund board engaged in a thoughtful and thorough screening process for endorsement in the U.S. Senate race. We believe Al Franken is the U.S. Senate candidate that Minnesota women and families can count on to protect and strengthen their health and rights. We know that Al Franken will stand with Minnesotans on reproductive health and on affordable and quality health care for all.”
-Sarah Stoesz, President
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NARAL Pro-Choice America
“We have another outstanding slate of pro-choice candidates across the country in 2008... when looking at the caliber of candidates for the Senate and the House, we are confident that we will add to our numbers in 2008 and, as the next Congress convenes in 2009, provide newly elected pro-choice President Barack Obama with even more pro-choice allies in Congress.”
-Nancy Keenan, President
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NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota
“We are proud to support a candidate that will be a strong advocate for Minnesota women. I know that he will work tirelessly to protect a woman's right to choose," House said. "Voters are tired of Norm Coleman's hypocrisy. Not only does he oppose safe, legal abortion, but Coleman even votes against improving women's access to birth control, which is one of the best ways to prevent unintended pregnancy in the first place.”
-Linnea House, Executive Director
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HRC
“Al Franken is a longtime friend to the Human Rights Campaign and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. His unflinching support for equality is an inspiration, and we at HRC are honored to endorse his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Al will not only be a tireless advocate for the people of Minnesota, but an outspoken advocate for the ideals that make our country great---fairness, justice and opportunity.”
-Joe Solmonese, President
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ACORN Votes
“During our discussions with Al Franken it was apparent that he believes in empowering all people, not just the rich. He supports an increase in the minimum wage, health care for all, fully funding education, and stopping predatory lending - as well as enacting a freeze on foreclosures. Norm Coleman has not been receptive to ACORN's overtures and continues to be beholden to corporate interests and the rich.”
-Karen Inman, Board Member
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Council for a Livable World
“Al Franken is in the progressive tradition of Minnesota Democratic leaders. He opposes building a new generation of nuclear weapons, opposes placing weapons in space, opposes an attack on Iran, and supports moving toward a world free of nuclear weapons.”
-John Isaacs, Executive Director
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Radio Host, Radio Rey 630AM Artie Martinez
“I believe in Al Franken. Al understands that we need to change the political culture in Washington in order to find solutions to the challenges we're facing - the need for good jobs, education, and comprehensive immigration reform. I believe that Al is the kind of fighter that only comes along once in a while - and the kind of leader our community needs to send to Washington. He's compassionate, smart, and knows our issues inside and out.”
Artie Martinez is the producer and host of "Es La Ley" (It's the Law), an hour-long radio talk show broadcast by Radio Rey WDGY 630AM, a Spanish-speaking radio station based in Minneapolis. The program focuses on legal and social issues that directly effect Minnesota's Latino community.
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Former U.S. Senate Candidate Jim Cohen
“Al Franken has the right voice, compassion, demonstrated commitment to progressive values, energy and the most resources, and he will work tirelessly to ensure we defeat Norman Coleman this November. Al Franken has the right message to bring back jobs and prosperity, provide affordable health care for all, and to make America a nation where the American Dream is not just an unattainable dream but a reality once again.”
Jim Cohen has been a national environmental leader, human rights attorney, consumer advocate, U.S. Congressional nominee, grassroots organizer, teacher and voice for the disenfranchised. During nearly forty years of public service Jim Cohen has created environmental organizations with over 60,000 members, protected consumers as a senior official at the Federal Trade Commission, and has gone to court to fight for the rights of American Indians, working class immigrants and many under-represented citizens.
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Arvonne Fraser
Arvonne Fraser is senior fellow emerita of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute
of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and co-founder and director of the Institute's Center on Women and Public Policy. She has also served as director of the International Women's Rights Action Watch, ambassador to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women and coordinator of the Office of
Women in Development at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
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Minnesota NOW President Shannon Drury
Shannon Drury is in her first year as President of NOW. The Minnesota
Chapter of the National Organization for Women has taken an active role in
promoting and working toward women's rights in this state since 1971. Drury
is a wife, mother of two, and a lifelong feminist.
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Tribal Chair Erma Vizenor
As the first woman to be elected leader of Minnesota's largest Ojibwe Band,
Erma Vizenor has worked tirelessly to fight high unemployment rates,
poverty, and hunger.
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