Vento, Bruce F., 1940-2000

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Bruce Vento was born on October 7, 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Frank and Anne Vento, residents of the city's East Side. Vento was educated in parochial elementary schools, Johnson High School, the College of St. Thomas (1958-1959), the University of Minnesota (AA, 1961; graduate studies, 1966), and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls (BS, 1965). He subsequently taught social studies and science in the Minneapolis public school system (1965-1976); was elected (DFL) to the Minnesota House of Representatives (1971); and served as assistant majority leader (1974-1976). Following the retirement of fourth district congressman Joseph E. Karth in 1976, Vento was endorsed as the DFL candidate and was elected to Congress.

In Congress, Vento was allied with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party and became a leader in banking, human services, and environmental legislation. He was a member of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services and the Committee on Resources. As chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands for ten years, from 1985 through 1994, Vento oversaw the enactment of 300 laws.

Vento died on October 10, 2000 at the age of 61 from pleural mesothelioma, a cancer attributed to asbestos exposure while Vento worked his way through college.

Additional biographical information is contained within Box 1 of the collection.

From the guide to the Bruce F. Vento papers., 1970-2000., (Minnesota Historical Society)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Vento, Bruce F., 1940-2000. Bruce F. Vento scrapbooks, 1976-1990 [microform]. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Bruce F. Vento papers., 1970-2000. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Langton, York, 1903-1989. York Langton papers, 1960-1989. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Vento, Bruce F., 1940-2000. Bruce F. Vento papers, 1974-2000. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn York Langton papers., 1960-1989. Minnesota Historical Society
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Saint Croix River (Wis. and Minn.).
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Minn.)
Ramsey County (Minn.)
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Minn.)
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (Minn.).
Saint Croix River (Wis. and Minn.)
Saint Paul (Minn.)
Minnesota
Ramsey County (Minn.).
Ramsey County (Minn.)
Saint Croix River (Wis. and Minn.)
Mississippi River
Mississippi River
Mississippi River.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Minn.).
Minnesota
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (Minn.)
United States
United States
United States
Subject
Banking law
Banking law
Campaign funds
Campaign funds
Political campaigns
Political campaigns
Elections
Elections
Energy policy
Energy policy
Environmental policy
Environmental policy
Hmong (Asian people)
Hmong (Asian people)
Homelessness
Homelessness
Housing
Housing
Housing policy
Housing policy
Human services
National parks and reserves
National parks and reserves
Rivers
Taxation
Taxation
Wild and scenic rivers
Wild and scenic rivers
Wilderness areas
Wilderness areas
Wilderness areas
Occupation
Legislators
Politicians
Activity

Person

Birth 1940-10-07

Death 2000-10-10

Information

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Ark ID: w6br9jjq

SNAC ID: 72896781