Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links
  • LRL Home
    • >
  • Legislators Past & Present
    • >
  • Member Record
    • Legislators Past & Present Home

    Sarna, John Joseph

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1973-82 (District 55B); House 1983-92 (District 58A); House 1993-96 (District 59A)

    Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus

    Counties Served:  Anoka, Hennepin

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 3/9/1935
    Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Birth County: Hennepin
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 4/20/2021
    Gender: Male
    Religion:
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Minneapolis
    Occupation (when first elected): Labor Official, United Auto Workers

    EDUCATION

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Ann Chamberlin
    Children: Two children: Beth and Barb (daughters)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

    He was the Minneapolis Chairman of Sen. Humphrey for President 1972.

    "John earned the label 'Mr. Consumer Protection' authoring many bills including the "lemon law" guaranteeing consumer protection on new or used vehicles, and the bill allowing reading glasses to be sold anywhere. Perhaps his biggest legacy is the preservation of the historical Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge. In 1991, the bridge was earmarked for train use, but he envisioned it for pedestrian use and saw it as a catalyst to revitalize the downtown riverfront. He created a committee including historical preservationists, engineers, and neighbors and passed legislation to successfully save the bridge for public use." (Star Tribune obituary, April 25, 2021)

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 8771

    SESSIONS SERVED

    79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1995
    Body: House
    District: 59A
    Elected: 11/8/1994
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/2/1995 to 1/5/1997
    Oath Date: 1/3/1995
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture: Agriculture Finance and Rural Development
    • Agriculture: Dairy Policy and Soil and Water Conservation
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs (Chair)
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Business Regulation Division
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Consumer Affairs
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Economic Equality
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Real Estate and Commerce
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Tourism
    • Environment and Natural Resources Finance
    • Rules and Legislative Administration
    • Rules and Legislative Administration: Administration
    term photo
    Click to view

    78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/5/1993
    Body: House
    District: 59A
    Elected: 11/3/1992
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/1/1995
    Oath Date: 1/5/1993
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Commerce and Economic Development (Chair)
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Consumer Protection
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Controversial Bills
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Economic Equality
    • Commerce and Economic Development: International Trade, Technology and Economic Development Division
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Occupational Licensing
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Real Estate and Commerce
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Tourism and Small Business Division
    • Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Regulated Industries and Energy

    77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1991
    Body: House
    District: 58A
    Elected: 11/6/1990
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 1/3/1993
    Oath Date: 1/8/1991
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Appropriations: Economic Development, Infrastructure, and Regulation Division
    • Commerce (Chair)
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Labor-Management Relations: Worker's Compensation and Unemployment Insurance
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
    term photo
    Click to view

    76th Legislative Session (1989-1990)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1989
    Body: House
    District: 58A
    Elected: 11/8/1988
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/2/1989 to 1/6/1991
    Oath Date: 1/3/1989
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Appropriations: Agriculture, Transportation and Semi-State Division
    • Commerce (Chair)
    • Commerce: Consumer Affairs
    • Commerce: Small Business, Energy and Real Estate
    • Commerce: Tourism
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Labor-Management Relations: Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs: Local Government and Structures

    75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/1987
    Body: House
    District: 58A
    Elected: 11/4/1986
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/1/1989
    Oath Date: 1/6/1987
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Appropriations: Agriculture, Transportation and Semi-States Division
    • Commerce (Chair)
    • Commerce: Consumer Affairs
    • Commerce: Energy and Real Estate
    • Commerce: Tourism
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Local and Urban Affairs

    74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1985
    Body: House
    District: 58A
    Elected: 11/6/1984
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/7/1985 to 1/4/1987
    Oath Date: 1/8/1985
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Appropriations: Agriculture, Transportation and Semi-States Division
    • Commerce and Economic Development
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Commerce and Regulation
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Small Business, Economic Development and Tourism
    term photo
    Click to view

    73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1983
    Body: House
    District: 58A
    Elected: 11/2/1982
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/6/1985
    Oath Date: 1/4/1983
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Appropriations: Agriculture, Transportation, Semi-State Division
    • Commerce and Economic Development (Chair)
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Commerce and Job Creation
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Consumer Affairs and Tourism
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Economic Development
    • Regulated Industries
    • Regulated Industries: Beverage

    72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/1981
    Body: House
    District: 55B
    Elected: 11/4/1980
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/5/1981 to 1/2/1983
    Oath Date: 1/6/1981
    Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Commerce and Economic Development (Chair)
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Consumer Affairs and Tourism
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Economic Development
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Liquor
    • Commerce and Economic Development: Oil Decontrol Task Force (Chair)
    • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
    • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Housing
    • Governmental Operations
    • Governmental Operations: Pensions and Investments
    • Regulated Industries
    term photo
    Click to view

    71st Legislative Session (1979-1980)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1979
    Body: House
    District: 55B
    Elected: 11/7/1978
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/1/1979 to 1/4/1981
    Oath Date: 1/3/1979
    Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Commerce, Economic Development and Housing
    • Commerce, Economic Development and Housing: Tourism and Consumer Protection
    • Governmental Operations
    • Governmental Operations: Personnel
    • Transportation
    • Transportation: Bridges and Highways

    70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1977
    Body: House
    District: 55B
    Elected: 11/2/1976
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/3/1977 to 12/31/1978
    Oath Date: 1/4/1977
    Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official, United Auto Workers
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Environment and Natural Resources
    • Governmental Operations
    • Transportation
    term photo
    Click to view

    69th Legislative Session (1975-1976)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/7/1975
    Body: House
    District: 55B
    Elected: 11/5/1974
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/6/1975 to 1/2/1977
    Oath Date: 1/7/1975
    Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official, United Auto Workers
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
    • Governmental Operations
    • Transportation

    68th Legislative Session (1973-1974)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/2/1973
    Body: House
    District: 55B
    Elected: 11/7/1972
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/1/1973 to 1/5/1975
    Oath Date: 1/2/1973
    Counties Represented: Anoka, Hennepin
    Occupation: Labor Official, United Auto Workers
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus
    Committees:
    • City Government
    • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
    • Governmental Operations
    • Labor-Management Relations
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About

    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.

    Legislators Past & Present Home