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Belanger, Jr., William V. "Bill"

Sessions Served

Other Information

Senate 1981-82 (District 38); Senate 1982-2002 (District 41); Senate 2003-2006 (District 40)

Party when first elected: Independent Republican

Counties Served: Dakota, Hennepin, Scott

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 10/18/1928

Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Birth County: Hennepin

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death: 12/28/2018

Gender: Male

Religion: Catholic

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names: Bill

City of Residence (when first elected): Bloomington

Occupation (when first elected): Senior Program Planner, Honeywell Defense Systems

EDUCATION

De La Salle High School; Secondary;
St. Thomas College; B.A.;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Board/Commission: Bloomington, Minnesota (Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Commissioner, 9 years; Chair, 2 years); 19?? to 19??

Military: United States Army; 1946 to 1947

Military: United States Army (Korean War, Corporal); 1950 to 1951

Municipal Council/Aldermen: Bloomington, Minnesota (City Council; Vice-Mayor, 2 years); 1966 to 1977 [Elected]

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Governor's 21st Century Tax Reform Commission; 04/23/2008 to 12/01/2008 [Appointed]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Lois Jean Winistorfer
Children: Seven children: Cheryl, Mary Beth, Jennifer, Pamela, William III, Richard, James.

Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: employment, housing, energy, insurance, banking, civil law, finance, taxes, local government, education.

He was a member of the Bloomington, Minnesota Historical Society.

He helped to establish Normandale Community College and helped to develop the Mall of America.

His funeral was held at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005

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Total Days Served: 9492

SESSIONS SERVED

84th Legislative Session (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: Senate

District: 40

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Dakota, Hennepin, Scott

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Consumer Protection, Banking and Insurance
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Senate Audit
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Taxes

Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: Senate

District: 40

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Dakota, Hennepin, Scott

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2003 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004: Consumer Protection and Banking
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Senate Audit
Taxes

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/1/2001 to 1/5/2003
Oath Date: 1/3/2001

Counties Represented: Dakota, Hennepin, Scott

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2001 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2001 1st Sp.S. - Author
2002 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2002 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Consumer Protection and Regulated Industries
Commerce: Insurance
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Redistricting
Taxes
Taxes: Property Tax Budget Division
Transportation

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Dakota, Hennepin, Scott

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Consumer Protection and Regulated Industries
Commerce: Insurance
Crime Prevention
Judiciary/Crime Prevention/Human Resources Finance: Crime Prevention and Judiciary Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Taxes
Taxes: Income and Sales Tax
Transportation
Transportation/State Government Finance: Transportation Budget Division

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Dakota, Hennepin, Scott

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Consumer Protection and Regulated Industries
Commerce: Insurance
Crime Prevention
Judiciary/Crime Prevention/Human Resources Finance: Crime Prevention and Judiciary Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Taxes
Taxes: Income and Sales Tax
Transportation
Transportation/State Government Finance: Transportation Budget Division

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79th Legislative Session (1995-1996) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Dakota, Hennepin, Scott

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Independent Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Commerce and Consumer Protection: Banking
Commerce and Consumer Protection: Insurance
Crime Prevention
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Tax
Transportation and Public Transit
Transportation and Public Transit: Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Dakota, Hennepin, Scott

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Commerce and Consumer Protection: Banking
Commerce and Consumer Protection: Insurance
Crime Prevention
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Tax
Transportation and Public Transit
Transportation and Public Transit: Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 1/3/1993
Oath Date: 1/8/1991

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking
Commerce: Insurance
Governmental Operations
Judiciary
Judiciary: Civil Law Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Rules and Administration: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income, Sales, and Economic Development Division
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids Division

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76th Legislative Session (1989-1990) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Senior Program Planner

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Insurance
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Rules and Administration: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax Division
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids Division

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Senior Program Planner, Honeywell Defense Systems

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Insurance
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law Division
Judiciary: Revisor's Bill
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Rules and Administration: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax

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74th Legislative Session (1985-1986) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1985

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/4/1983

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Senior Program Planner, Honeywell Defense Systems

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Economic Development and Commerce
Economic Development and Commerce: Banking
Economic Development and Commerce: Economic Development
Employment
Employment: Unemployment Insurance
Rules and Administration
Rules and Legislative Administration: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Economic Development
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids

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73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1983

Body: Senate

District: 41

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/4/1983

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Senior Program Planner

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Economic Development and Commerce
Economic Development and Commerce: Banking
Economic Development and Commerce: Economic Development
Employment
Employment: Unemployment Insurance
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Economic Development
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids

72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1981

Body: Senate

District: 38

Elected: 11/4/1980

Residence: Bloomington

Term of Office: 1/5/1981 to 1/2/1983
Oath Date: 1/6/1981

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Senior Program Planner, Honeywell Defense Systems

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Employment
Employment: Economic Development
Energy and Housing
Energy and Housing: Housing
Local Government and Urban Affairs
Transportation
Transportation: Transit

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OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

Klecker, Mara. "William Belanger: State Legislator: He Worked Across the Aisle, Helped Build Bloomington." Star Tribune, January 3, 2019, p. B4.

News Sources

The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.

District News Files

2000 (41)

2001 (41)

2002 (41)

2003 (40)

2004 (40)

2005 (40)

2006 (40)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Senator William Belanger speaks on the Senate floor while Senator Claire Robling listens, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1997-2000. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator William Belanger tapes a cable television segment in the Senate Media Services studio, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1985. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Glen Taylor and Senator William Belanger stand together in the Senate chamber, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1983-1986. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

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