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Merriam, Eugene R. "Gene"

Sessions Served

Other Information

Senate 1975-82 (District 47); Senate 1983-96 (District 49)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Anoka, Hennepin, Wright

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 11/1/1944

Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Birth County: Hennepin

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Catholic

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names: Gene

City of Residence (when first elected): Coon Rapids

Occupation (when first elected): Certified Public Accountant

EDUCATION

Benilde High School; Secondary; Graduate, 1962
University of Minnesota; B.S.; 1967
University of Minnesota; B.A.;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Military: United States Marine Corps; 19?? to ?

Municipal Council/Aldermen: Coon Rapids, Minnesota (City Council); 1973 to 1974 [Elected]

State Board/Commission/Council: Higher Education Coordinating Board; 02/26/1991 to ? [Appointed]

State Agency: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Commissioner); 01/2003 to 01/02/2007 [Appointed]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Maureen; Divorced
Children: Three children
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He was the president of the Freshwater Society from 2007 to 2013.

"His peers called him 'Clean Gene,' and during two decades as a DFL senator, he was so respected for his fairness, honesty and hard work that even Republican made overtures to recruit him to run for governor." (Star Tribune, March 25, 2014)

"He said he was proud of his work on the Waste Management Act, enacted in 1980, which encouraged more recycling and less landfill use, the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act of 1982 and the Sustainable Forest Resources Act of 1995." (Star Tribune, March 25, 2014.)

Special Legislative Concerns: taxation, education finance, privacy, finance, environment.

Religion provided by the Catholic Bulletin, 3/21/1975.

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Total Days Served: 8035

SESSIONS SERVED

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: Senate

District: 49

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Coon Rapids

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

Counties Represented: Anoka

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Capital Budget
Finance: Finance State Government Division
Judiciary: Joint Crime Prevention and Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: Senate

District: 49

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Coon Rapids

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

Counties Represented: Anoka

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Capital Budget (Chair)
Finance: Finance State Government Division
Judiciary: Joint Crime Prevention and Judiciary Privacy
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: Senate

District: 49

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: Coon Rapids

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

Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin, Wright

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development: Joint Agriculture and Rural Development/Environment and Natural Resources Ad Hoc
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Economic and State Affairs Division
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law Division
Judiciary: Privacy
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: Senate

District: 49

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Coon Rapids

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

Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin, Wright

Occupation: Realtor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Agriculture/Transportation and Semi-States Division
Finance: State Departments Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law Division
Judiciary: Privacy
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: Senate

District: 49

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Coon Rapids

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

Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin, Wright

Occupation: Realtor/Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Finance (Chair)
Finance: State Departments Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law Division
Judiciary: Privacy
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1985

Body: Senate

District: 49

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Coon Rapids

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

Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin, Wright

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Agriculture and Natural Resources (Chair)
Education
Education: Education Aids
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law
Judiciary: Privacy (Chair)
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax
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: 49

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Coon Rapids

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

Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin, Wright

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Agriculture and Natural Resources (Chair)
Education
Education: Education Aids
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law
Judiciary: Privacy (Chair)
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax
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: 47

Elected: 11/4/1980

Residence: Coon Rapids

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

Counties Represented: Anoka

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Agriculture and Natural Resources (Chair)
Education
Education: Education Aids
Education: Educational Organization and Special Programs
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law
Judiciary: Privacy
Rules and Administration
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws: Small Business Tax

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71st Legislative Session (1979-1980) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1979

Body: Senate

District: 47

Elected: 11/2/1976

Residence: Coon Rapids

Term of Office: 1/3/1977 to 1/4/1981
Oath Date: 1/4/1977

Counties Represented: Anoka

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Fish and Wild Life
Education
Education: Education Aids (Chair)
Education: Educational Organization
Joint Agriculture and Natural Resources/Governmental Operations/Local Government/Taxes and Tax Laws/Transportation: Agricultural Land Preservation
Judiciary
Judiciary: Law Reform (Chair)
Judiciary: Privacy
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Inheritance, Estates and Trusts (Chair)
Transportation: Pipelines-1979

70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1977

Body: Senate

District: 47

Elected: 11/2/1976

Residence: Coon Rapids

Term of Office: 1/3/1977 to 1/4/1981
Oath Date: 1/4/1977

Counties Represented: Anoka

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Education
Education: Education Aids (Chair)
Education: Educational Organization
Judiciary
Judiciary: Law Reform (Chair)
Judiciary: Privacy
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax

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69th Legislative Session (1975-1976) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1975

Body: Senate

District: 47

Elected: 11/5/1974

Residence: Coon Rapids

Term of Office: 1/7/1975 to 1/2/1977 (Special Election)
Oath Date: 1/7/1975

Counties Represented: Anoka

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Notes: He was one of the first four Senators to run with party designation since nonpartisan elections had been implemented in the 1914 elections.

Committees:

Judiciary
Judiciary: Private Law Reform
Labor and Commerce
Labor and Commerce: Labor
Natural Resources and Agriculture
Natural Resources and Agriculture: Public Lands
Natural Resources and Agriculture: Water Resources

Session Notes: He won the Senate special election held due to the resignation of Stan Thorup. He was sworn in on January 7, 1975.

OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

Adams, Jim. "Green, clean and retired, Gene Merriam stays busy." Star Tribune, March 25, 2014.

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 Gene Merriam, Senator Carol Flynn, and Senator Roger Moe enjoy themselves during retirement ceremonies on the last day of session, St. Paul, Minnesota. 4/3/1996. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Doug Johnson, Senator Steve Morse, and Senator Gene Merriam confer during a Senate floor session, 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.

Senators Eric Petty, Collin Peterson, Gene Merriam, Doug Johnson, and Steve Novak in a tax conference committee, 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 Gene Merriam chairs a committee hearing, 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.

Senator Gene Merriam and Senator Collin Peterson converse on 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.

Senator Gene Merriam listens to testimony during a committee hearing, 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 Gene Merriam takes notes during a committee hearing, 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 William McCutcheon and Senator Gene Merriam consult with Senate counsel JoAnne Zoff during a tax committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. 1978. 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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