| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| July 21, 2000 | Jessie Roos (651-296-9719) |
(St. Paul) State Representative Harry Mares (R-White Bear Lake) was honored today by the American Legion, Department of Minnesota, for his continuing efforts on behalf of Minnesota's Veterans and their families.
Mares was honored at the American Legion, Minnesota Department Convention, held at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota. After being introduced and presented with the award by Department Commander Dennis Sculthorp and Legislative Chairman Virgil Persing, Mares briefly addressed the group gathered for the convention.
"This nation owes a great debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. In much the same way Americans once united in wartime, we are now united in peace, working together as a nation to create a government strong enough to meet the needs of its veterans today, while it safeguards the freedom our veterans ensured for us," said Mares.
Mares went onto say, "In my work on the House Government Operations and Veterans Affairs Committee, as well as the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, I have always looked out for the best interest of Minnesota's Veterans and their families -- they have allowed our nation to be what it is today."
This is not the first time Mares has been honored for his appreciation and service to veterans; in 1992, Mares was awarded the VFW Citizen of the Year award, while serving as mayor of White Bear Lake. Mares was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1994. He currently serves as the chair of both the House of Representatives Committee on Education Policy and the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. He also serves on the Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy, Rules, and K-12 Education Finance Committees.
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