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Spending Bill Includes $1 Million for Norwegian Foundation
Grand Forks Herald ^ | December 16, 2004 | Uncredited - Associated Press

Posted on 12/16/2004 10:13:25 PM PST by Chummy

Spending bill includes $1 million for Norwegian foundation

The massive $388 billion spending bill that Congress passed last month includes $1 million for the Norwegian American Foundation, inserted by Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minn.

The foundation is based in Seattle, but the group has ties to Minnesotans of Norwegian descent such as former Vice President Walter Mondale.

The money, which will be used to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Norway's peaceful independence from Sweden in 1905, was among several items singled out by Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona as pork last month.

"What is the charter of the Norwegian American Foundation that they need $1 million of my taxpayers' money?" McCain asked.

The foundation's chief executive, Kim Nesselquist, said they learned about the gift from McCain's speech.

"We are pleased, but we did not know it was coming," Nesselquist said.

The Norwegian Embassy also found out about the money after McCain's speech.

"The embassy has not lobbied for this, by no means," Norwegian Ambassador Knut Vollebaek told the Star Tribune. "We do not interfere with the budget processes of other countries. But we are very grateful to U.S. Rep. Sabo."

Mondale, chairman of the foundation's Centennial Gift Committee, said he was glad the United States was doing something to help commemorate the centennial, which includes plans for a $100 million endowment fund to support cultural exchange programs.

"This is the first century of Norwegian independence, and there's a very close connection between the Norwegian people and the American people, and between our histories," Mondale said.

But he said he didn't play a part in securing the money.

"If I could take credit for it, I would," Mondale said.

Gary Gandrud, a Minneapolis attorney and member of the foundation's board, said that Norway made a 1976 bicentennial gift to the United States that helped create the Vineland Center, a training facility in Loretto, Minn., for people with disabilities.

"This is a gift to Norway," Gandrud said. "It's not a gift to a bunch of good old boys in Seattle or a gift to Torske Klubben," a Norwegian-American luncheon club.

---

Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; US: Minnesota; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: norway; norwegian; pork; spending; taxes; taxing; taxpayers
Uff da
1 posted on 12/16/2004 10:13:26 PM PST by Chummy
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To: Chummy

At least it gives me something to remember about April 15th . . .


2 posted on 12/16/2004 11:57:19 PM PST by Skybird
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To: Chummy

Where are the Rep. senators with Swedish heritage? We also want a Mn bucks.


3 posted on 12/17/2004 12:44:53 AM PST by fdsa2 (People who don“t know their history are bound to repeat their mistakes.)
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To: Chummy

Rep. Martin OLAV Sabo, D-Minn

Let's get it right. That's my representative.
You want to get real scared? His daughter is in the state house.


4 posted on 12/18/2004 6:52:32 AM PST by Valin (Out Of My Mind; Back In Five Minutes)
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To: Valin
"...You want to get real scared? His daughter is in the state house."

Tax-and-Spender-in-Training, huh?

Did she get the Minnesota Legislature to pony up any tax dollars?
5 posted on 12/18/2004 3:59:00 PM PST by Chummy (Merry Christmas to all from Chummy and Family!)
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To: Chummy

I don't know. But I know if she didn't it wasn't for lack of trying, she is after all a DFLer from S Mpls.


6 posted on 12/18/2004 4:31:06 PM PST by Valin (Out Of My Mind; Back In Five Minutes)
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