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Frederickson, Dennis R.

Sessions Served

Other Information

Senate 1981-82 (District 28); Senate 1983-2002 (District 23); Senate 2003-2010 (District 21)

Party when first elected: Independent Republican

Counties Served: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Le Sueur, Lyon, McLeod, Murray, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Watonwan

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 7/27/1939

Birth Place: Morgan, Minnesota

Birth County: Redwood

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Lutheran, Presbyterian

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): Morgan

Occupation (when first elected): Farmer

EDUCATION

Morgan High School; Secondary; Graduate
University of Minnesota; B.S.; Agricultural Economics, 1961

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Military: United States Navy and Air Naval Reserve (Vietnam, Artic Circle, Thule Air Force Base, Greenland, Pilot, 5 years active duty); 19?? to 19??

County Board/Commissioner: Redwood County, Minnesota (County Commissioner; Chair, 2 years); 1972 to 1980

State Agency: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Regional Director, Southern Region); 02/2011 to 20??

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Marjorie "Marj" (married in 1961)
Children: Three children: Kari, Karl, and Disa
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: local government, environment, natural resources, finance, agriculture.

He grew up on a farm near Morgan, Minnesota.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. (Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1981-82)

Religion provided by the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1981-82, and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

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Total Days Served: 10955

SESSIONS SERVED

86th Legislative Session (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: Senate

District: 21

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: New Ulm

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Brown, Lyon, Redwood, Watonwan

Occupation: Retired Farmer

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Forestry
Finance
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Clean Water Legacy
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Energy Subdivision
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Natural Resources
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Parks and Trails Legacy
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules

Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore - He was selected to be President Pro Tempore even though his party was not in the majority.

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: Senate

District: 21

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: New Ulm

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Brown, Lyon, Redwood, Watonwan

Occupation: Retired Farmer

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Forestry
Finance
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Energy Subdivision
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Natural Resources
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules

Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore - He was selected to be President Pro Tempore even though his party was not in the majority.

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: Senate

District: 21

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Brown, Lyon, Redwood, Watonwan

Occupation: Retired Farmer

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Capital Investment
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Game and Fish
Finance
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Senate Audit (Chair)

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: Senate

District: 21

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Brown, Lyon, Redwood, Watonwan

Occupation: Retired Farmer

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Capital Investment
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Game and Fish
Finance
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Senate Audit (Chair)

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, McLeod, Nicollet, Redwood, Sibley

Occupation: Retired Farmer

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Jobs, Housing and Community Development
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Audit (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Telecommunications, Energy and Utilities

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, McLeod, Nicollet, Redwood, Sibley

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Election Laws
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources/Agriculture and Rural Development/State Government Finance: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Governmental Operations and Veterans/Election Laws/State Gov't. Finance Comm.: Governmental Operations Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Electric Energy Deregulation
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Senate Audit (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
State Government Finance

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, McLeod, Nicollet, Redwood, Sibley

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Election Laws
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources/Agriculture and Rural Development/State Government Finance: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Governmental Operations and Veterans/Election Laws/State Gov't. Finance Comm.: Governmental Operations Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Electric Energy Deregulation
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
State Government Finance

Leadership Position: Floor Leader

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, McLeod, Nicollet, Redwood, Sibley

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Independent Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance: Capital Budget
Finance: Finance State Government Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Housing
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy and Public Utilities
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

Leadership Position: Floor Leader

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, McLeod, Nicollet, Redwood, Sibley

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance: Finance State Government Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Housing
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy and Public Utilities
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

Leadership Position: Floor Leader

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development
Agriculture and Rural Development: Agriculture Resources
Agriculture and Rural Development: Joint Agriculture and Rural Development/Environment and Natural Resources Ad Hoc
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance: Economic and State Affairs Division
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Division
Gaming Regulation
Governmental Operations

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: New Ulm

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development
Agriculture and Rural Development: Rural Development
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance: State Departments Division
Governmental Operations

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Morgan

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Agriculture
Agriculture: Agriculture Products/Processing
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance: State Departments Division
General Legislation and Public Gaming
Governmental Operations

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1985

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Morgan

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: State Departments
Governmental Operations

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73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1983

Body: Senate

District: 23

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Morgan

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

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Public Land and Water Resources
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: State Departments
Governmental Operations

72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1981

Body: Senate

District: 28

Elected: 11/4/1980

Residence: Morgan

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

Counties Represented: Brown, Cottonwood, Murray, Nicollet, Redwood

Occupation: Farmer

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Agriculture
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Public Land and Water Resources
Governmental Operations
Local Government and Urban Affairs
Public Employees and Pensions

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OTHER INFORMATION

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 (23)

2001 (23)

2002 (23)

2003 (21)

2004 (21)

2005 (21)

2006 (21)

2007 (21)

2008 (21)

2009 (21)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Senator Dennis Frederickson, Senator Joanne Benson, and Senator Tom Neuville discuss a bill on the Senate floor, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1991. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Dennis Frederickson speaks in committee, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987-1990. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Gary DeCramer and Senator Dennis Frederickson listen to testimony during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Dennis Frederickson meets with a group of senior citizens on the front steps of the Capitol, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1981-1984. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Dennis Frederickson, Senator Glen Taylor, and Senator Darrel Peterson talk on the the Senate floor, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1981-1984. 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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