Blatnik, John A., 1911-1991

John Anton Blatnik was born in Chisholm, Minnesota on August 17, 1911. He graduated from Winona State College in 1935 after which he became an educational advisor for the Superior National Forest Civilian Conservation Corps (1935-1937), taught chemistry at Chisholm High School (1937-1939), and served as Saint Louis County Assistant Superintendent of Schools (1939-1941). During 1941 and 1942 he did graduate work in public administration at the University of Minnesota. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1942, spending three and one-half years in the Army Air Corps Intelligence and Office of Strategic Services, including eighteen months of service in Yugoslavia and Italy. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain.

In 1940 Blatnik was elected to the Minnesota state senate from the sixtieth district (northeastern Saint Louis County) and authored the senate version of the Minnesota taconite tax law of 1941. He retained his senate seat until his election as U.S. Representative (Democratic-Farmer-Labor party) from Minnesota's eighth district in 1946.

During his tenure in Congress, he served twenty years on the House Committee on Public Works, acting as chairman from 1971-1974. He also served on the House Committee on Government Operations, as chairman of the 1973 Conference of Great Lakes Congressmen, and on the fifteen-member study committee that created the 1972 Water Pollution Control Act. Blatnik was especially active in legislation dealing with water pollution control, flood control, disaster relief, community facilities, community development, education and vocational training, and regional economic development. He authored or co-authored many major bills in these areas, including the Water Pollution Control Act of 1956 (and its 1961 and 1972 amendments); Accelerated Public Works Program, 1962; Water Quality Act of 1956; Area Development Act of 1961; and the Public Works and Economic Act of 1965. Blatnik retired from Congress in 1974.

He married Gisela Hager on April 9, 1955. They had three children: Thomas H., Stephanie, and Virginia. Blatnik died in Forest Heights, Maryland on December 17, 1991.

From the guide to the John A. Blatnik congressional papers., 1889-1991 (bulk 1947-1974)., (Minnesota Historical Society)