Edward A. Burdick Legislative Award

The Edward A Burdick Legislative Award was created by Dr. Patrick Mendis, who received his MA from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in 1986 and a Ph.D from the University of Minnesota in 1989. He knew Edward Burdick as a friend and mentor for more than a quarter century, and they became a “family.” Burdick was the consummate public servant, a sixty-year legendary employee of the Minnesota House of Representatives who was elected unanimously by Democratic and Republican legislators to serve the last thirty-eight years as the Chief Clerk and Parliamentarian before his retirement in 2005.

Eligibility + selection

To be considered for the award, the nominee must be a Humphrey School student who has or will be graduating between September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013.

The award and a prize of $500 will be given at commencement on May 20, 2013.

To apply

The nominator must submit:

• A 500-word personal statement describing nominee's exceptional work that exemplifies bipartisanship or forging bipartisanship in public policy or legislation in Minnesota.

• Letters of support from two individuals who are familiar with the nominee's background and commitment to bipartisanship in public policy and/or the Minnesota Legislature. The letters should address the following:

o In what ways has this nominee exemplified the spirit of bipartisanship demonstrated by Chief Clerk and Parliamentarian Edward A Burdick?

o What are some specific examples where the nominee has fostered bipartisanship or demonstrated bipartisanship in her or his own right?

o How did this spirit of bipartisanship help advance public policy or problem solving in Minnesota?

Please feel free to nominate yourself or a colleague. Faculty are also welcome to nominate students. Nominating materials may be e-mailed to hhhss@umn.edu or sent to: Humphrey Student Services, 280 Humphrey School, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
55455 by 4:30 p.m. on May 7, 2013.