Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Donna Bauer and Michael Hawton to the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020.

Bauer, of Minneapolis, works for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis where she spearheads special projects for housing and emergency services. She is a member of a number of community organizations that focus on assisting Minnesotans in need including; Project Homeless Connect, Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, and the Community Emergency Response Team. She is the immediate past president of the Minnesota Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster organization. Bauer has a bachelor of arts degree in U.S. studies and political and global studies from George Washington University at Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC.

Hawton, of Minneapolis, has over 12 years of management experience in the retail industry and is a former small business owner. He has worked with the Boy Scouts of America and is an active community and church volunteer. Hawton will graduate from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor of arts degree in political science in December of 2007.

The Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 combines public and private resources and will work on developing policies and finding ways to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020. The commission will share its recommendations with the state legislature and Governor in December of 2008.