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Knaak, Frederic W. "Fritz"

Senate 1983-92 (District 53)

Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

Counties Served:  Ramsey, Washington

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 1/2/1953
Birth Place: Rochester, Minnesota
Birth County: Olmsted
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death:
Gender: Male
Religion:
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names: Fritz
City of Residence (when first elected): White Bear Lake
Occupation (when first elected): Attorney

EDUCATION

White Bear Lake High School; Secondary; Graduate, With Honors, 1971
University for Foreigners, Perugia, Italy; Attended College;
State University of Florence, Italy; Attended College;
St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota; B.A.; Summa Cum Laude, 1975
University of Minnesota, Law School; J.D.; 1978

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Attorney: Various cities in Minnesota (Fridley, Maplewood, Lake Elmo, Newport, Afton, Ramsey, Taylors Falls); [Dates Unknown]
State Secretary of State Staff: Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State (Special Counsel); [Dates Unknown]
Judge: Minnesota Administrative Law Judge; 1996 to 2000

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (when first elected); Jane Tyler (first listed in 1987)
Children: Five children: Four sons and one daughter
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
Delores J. Knaak  - Mother

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: natural resources and environment, education, education finance, taxation and local government.

Total Days Served: 3654

SESSIONS SERVED

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1991
Body: Senate
District: 53
Elected: 11/6/1990
Residence: White Bear Lake
Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 1/3/1993
Oath Date: 1/8/1991
Counties Represented: Ramsey, Washington
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Education
  • Education: Education Funding Division
  • Education: Governance and Structures
  • Education: Joint Senate/House Libraries
  • Judiciary
  • Judiciary: Civil Law Division
  • Judiciary: Privacy
  • Metropolitan Affairs
  • Redistricting
  • Rules and Administration

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

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1989
Body: Senate
District: 53
Elected: 11/4/1986
Residence: White Bear Lake
Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987
Counties Represented: Ramsey, Washington
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Education
  • Education: Education Funding Division
  • Education: Joint Senate/House Library
  • Environment and Natural Resources
  • Environment and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
  • Judiciary
  • Judiciary: Civil Law Division
  • Judiciary: Privacy
  • Taxes and Tax Laws
  • Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax Division
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/1987
Body: Senate
District: 53
Elected: 11/4/1986
Residence: White Bear Lake
Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987
Counties Represented: Ramsey, Washington
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Economic Development and Housing
  • Education
  • Education: Education Aids Division
  • Education: Joint Senate/House Library
  • Environment and Natural Resources
  • Environment and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
  • Judiciary
  • Judiciary: Civil Law Division
  • Judiciary: Privacy

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

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1985
Body: Senate
District: 53
Elected: 11/2/1982
Residence: White Bear Lake
Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/4/1983
Counties Represented: Ramsey, Washington
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Governmental Operations
  • Judiciary
  • Judiciary: Civil Law
  • Judiciary: Revisor's Bill
  • Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries
  • Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries: Public Utilities
  • Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries: Regulated Industries

73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1983
Body: Senate
District: 53
Elected: 11/2/1982
Residence: White Bear Lake
Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/4/1983
Counties Represented: Ramsey, Washington
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Governmental Operations
  • Judiciary
  • Judiciary: Civil Law
  • Judiciary: Revisor's Bills
  • Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries
  • Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries: Public Utilities
  • Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries: Regulated Industries

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.
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Senator Jane Ranum, Senator Fritz Knaak, Senator Pat Pariseau, and Senator Ember Reichgott Junge examine a bill during a Senate floor session, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1991-1992. Photo credit: Senate Media ServicesThis image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library..
Senator Fritz Knaak speaks on the Senate floor, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1988. Photo credit: Senate Media ServicesThis image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library..
Senator Fritz Knaak confers with Representative Tony Bennett during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987. Photo credit: Senate Media ServicesThis image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library..
Swearing-in ceremony in the Senate Chamber during the opening day of the 1987 legislative session, St. Paul, Minnesota. 1/6/1987. Photo credit: Senate Media ServicesThis image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library..
Swearing-in ceremony in the Senate Chamber during the opening day of the 1983 legislative session, St. Paul, Minnesota. 1/4/1983. Photo credit: Senate Media ServicesThis image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library..