[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 30, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE OF EDWARD A. BURDICK, FORMER CHIEF CLERK OF THE 
                   MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 30, 2011

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise in tribute to a 
leader, a parliamentary expert, a mentor and a friend to many, Mr. 
Edward Burdick, former Chief Clerk of the Minnesota House of 
Representatives. On March 9, 2011 he died at the age of 89 years old, 
and he is remembered fondly by his family and many friends and 
colleagues.
  In 1941 at the age of 19, Ed as he was known, began a job in the 
Minnesota House of Representatives as a Page, earning $5 a day. He held 
many jobs in the Legislature and other public service jobs, including 
U.S. Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Department of Military 
Affairs. He also proudly served our Nation in the U.S. Army. In 1967, 
Ed was elected Chief Clerk of the Minnesota House of Representatives, a 
job he maintained until his retirement 38 years later. In all, Ed 
provided 62 years of public service to the people of Minnesota and our 
Nation.
  Ed was not only Chief Clerk but also House Parliamentarian, 
understanding every little twist of parliamentary procedure. His 
mastery of legislative process made him a nationally renowned expert in 
the field. Within the House Chamber, his booming and authoritative 
voice was a familiar presence as he kept decorum in a legislative body 
not always known for that quality. During the decades that Ed served as 
Chief Clerk, he mentored a dozen Speakers of the House and many others 
in leadership, including myself. He took his role teaching the House 
rules and parliamentary procedure very seriously.
  In November of 1992, I was elected to the Minnesota State House of 
Representatives. Prior to my swearing-in he informed me that he would 
meet with each new representative and explain the workings of the House 
and his office, ending with ``if there is anything you need or anything 
I can do for you, do not hesitate to ask me or my office''--and he 
truly meant it. That was who Ed Burdick was. A gentleman, a kind and 
thoughtful person, a hard worker, a person willing to serve everyone 
who needed assistance of any kind.
  Ed will be missed by many, many Legislators and State Government 
officials for his guidance, dignity and hard work.
  I know that I am not alone in saying, that I will miss Ed's kindness, 
his genuine nature, his loyalty to Minnesota and his absolute and total 
fairness to all. Ed Burdick will always serve a Minnesotan icon to 
public service. May you rest in peace, my friend.

                          ____________________