About Senator Gordon Rosenmeier

Gordon Rosenmeier was born in Royalton, Minnesota in 1907 and resided in Little Falls from 1912 until his death in 1989 at age 81.  He was a graduate of Little Falls Community High School, the University of Minnesota, and Stanford University Law School. He also studied at the University of Chicago.  In 1932, he took over the Little Falls law practice of his father, Christian Rosenmeier, and maintained that office for the rest of his life.

In 1940 Rosenmeier was elected to the first of his eight consecutive terms in the Minnesota Senate. He became one of the most powerful, influential, and respected legislators in Minnesota history.

Senator Rosenmeier's record of service and achievement is impressive and his influence was felt statewide. He served under Governors Stassen, Thye, Youngdahl, C. Elmer Anderson, Freeman, Elmer L. Andersen, Rolvaag, and LeVander. His opinions and advice were actively sought by many of Minnesota's most important policy makers.

Major bills authored by Senator Rosenmeier included the:

*Expansion of Camp Ripley
*Setting of Lindbergh Home as State Historic Site
*Creation of Brainerd State Hospdal
*Creation of Brainerd Community College
*Reorganization of Conservation Department to the Department of Natural Resources
*Creation of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
*Creation of Metropolitan Council
*Reorganization of Railroad and Warehouse Commission to Public Service Commission
*Revision of State Military Forces Governing Act
*Creation of off ice of Commissioner of Aeronautics
*Creation of Fair Employment Practices Commission
*Provided for Minnesota entry into Great Lakes Basin Contract
*Provided for watershed districts (Watershed Act) 'Open Meeting Law of 1957
*Consiftutional amendment for succession to Governor.
*Creation of State Department of Corrections
*Creation of State Planning Agency
*Creation of program of student scholarships for higher education
*Establish Veterans Advisory Committee
*Establish Regional Development Commissions
*Author of bill prescribing bonus for Vietnam war veterans

He was defeated in 1970 in an upset which took most observers by surprise.  Rosenmeier continued to be held in such high bipartisan regard that the Minnesota Senate designated and Governor Wendell R. Anderson proclaimed, September 19, 1974, as "Gordon Rosenmeier Recognition Day." More than 800 people attended festivities in Little Falls.

In October, 1988, Gordon Rosenmeier and Louis Filippi, a longtime Little Falls friend, met with Brainerd Community College officials to discuss the establishment of a Center for State and Local Government at the college. While Rosenmeier died only three months later, work on the center continued, resulting in this living memorial and providing a forum for citizen participation in grassroots government.

Learn more about Senator Gordon Rosenmeier through his writings and memorabilia by visiting the Rosenmeier Heritage Room in the Learning Resource Center of Central Lakes College, Brainerd, and by touring the Burton/Rosenmeier Home, 606 First Street Southeast, Little Falls. For tours or conference reservations call The Initiative Foundation at 320-632-9255.