Larson appointed to state Sesquicentennial Commission

By Amie Steffen | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Former Sen. Cal Larson is back in state government, thanks to Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Larson, of Fergus Falls, got the call Thursday that he would be appointed to the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission. He is the only one of the nine appointees to the commission not to be elected to the state legislature.

“That’s going to be a wonderful experience,” Larson said Monday after returning from St. Paul with his new assignment. “We’re going to be 150 years old, the great state of Minnesota.”

Achieving statehood in 1858, Minnesota will celebrate its yearlong sesquicentennial in 2008.

Until then, meetings in St. Paul will take place every month or so for commission members — four state House representatives, four senators and Larson.

“We can look forward to reminding people about the great things that have happened,” Larson said, noting the state is famous for the University of Minnesota and being a transportation and mining hub. “There’s just a history of great things and pretty outstanding individuals.”

Larson will assume the appointment without pay. He served District 10 since first elected in 1986, and was on the Capital Investment, Commerce, Finance and Rules & Administration committees during his tenure.