Virtual File - Item

Text: I will not be seeking re-election in 2024.

Entering my 38th year as a legislator, I look back on a series of historic achievements. The sponsorship of
the creation of Chapters 12A and 12B, which are now the play books to address natural disasters in
Minnesota declared by the President of the United States and by Minnesota's Governor. Chapters 12A and
12B were based on the 2007 natural disaster that struck Southeastern MN, which is still the largest natural
disaster in Minnesota's history for which Minnesota was woefully unprepared. A Special Session will no
longer be needed when disaster strikes and the Governor can get aid to those impacted immediately.

As Chair of the House of Representatives Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee in 1997-98,
2013-14 and 2023-24 record investments were made in Higher Education by freezing tuition and paying
for it and the creation of the North Start Promise to provide Minnesota with skilled workers.

The Sponsorship of the Winona State Composite Engineering in 1988 which is still the only
undergraduate Composite Engineering Program in the United States. Being the legislative host of
Governor Perpich's State of the State Address on February 9, 1988 at Winona State University focused on
the establishment of WSU's Composite Engineering Program. This was the first State of the State Address
held outside the St. Paul Capitol.

Being the legislative host of two Minnesota House of Representatives Mini-Sessions in Winona in
September 1989 and October 2019 brought 134 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives to
Winona. Each Mini-Session produced legislation to enhance job creation in SE Minnesota. The program
now in place at WSU and MN State College SE to restore Vocational Technical Educators in Minnesota's
High Schools so students will once again have the opportunity to graduate with an employable skill set
came out of a hearing at MN State College SE in 2019. These Mini-Sessions of the entire 134 members of
the MN House of Representatives, participating in local committee hearings, supported numerous
building projects for the City of Winona, Winona County, Winona State University and Minnesota State
College SE.

The sponsorship of legislation for the Disability Community to allow more services in the use of living
space, technology and increase funding to ensure the stability of programs.

As Chair of the House of Representatives Government Operations and Reform Committee, I improved
the legislative process to ensure that amendments to bills being presented to the House must have the
amendments to those bills posted for the public to see 24 hours in advance. This allows the public to
know their content before House floor debate.

None of this would have been possible without the support of my family, especially my wife Deb
Pelowski who for 38 years coordinated everything from raising two sons, keeping family and campaign
events balanced and working outside of the home full time. Bob and Sue Edel have been essential
elements in the running of the political campaigns with Sue Edel being the Campaign Treasurer since
1986 and Bob Edel rotating in as needed as the Campaign Chair. Special thanks to Duane and Patte
Peterson who in 1986, with Duane chairing the Campaign Committee, and Patte, hosting events at their
home, established a base of operations for future campaigns.

Thank you to the residents of Legislative District 26A for allowing me to participate in a remarkable four
decades of public service.

Representative Gene Pelowski