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State Representative Joe Atkins

583 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
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For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406

Posted: 2007-09-26 00:00:00
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UFF DA! AN INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE

MAPLEWOOD, MN – Ask your average Minnesotan what they associate with Norwegian culture and they'll probably rattle off a list that includes lefse, lutefisk, wool sweaters, pickled herring, and Nordic skiing. But contrary to these general stereotypes, no raw fish or potato flatbread was to be found when members of Norway's Labour Committee from the Norwegian National Parliament met with local legislators Rep. Joe Atkins and Rep. Leon Lillie at 3M Corporate Headquarters in Maplewood this week.

Rep. Lillie expressed his disappointment that lefse wasn’t provided at the meeting saying, "I was expecting lefse. Had I known nobody was making it, I would have called my Aunt Betty and asked her to make some."

The Norwegian lawmakers came to Minnesota to meet with Reps. Atkins and Lillie to discuss Norway's national policy regarding persons with disabilities. Atkins serves as Chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and Lillie as Vice-Chair. Impressed with Minnesota's progress in supporting career opportunities and increasing accessibility for persons with disabilities, Norwegian legislators sought advice from the state's labor leaders on how similar policies could be implemented in Norway.

"Accessibility and educational opportunities for people with disabilities is beneficial not just for those with disabilities, but for Minnesota businesses as well," said Rep. Atkins. "It provides businesses with more educated, well-trained employees and puts those employees in a position where they are better able to provide for themselves and their families."

Allowing persons with disabilities the necessary resources to live an independent, and fruitful life through productive and equal participation in America's workforce was one of the goals laid out in the Americans with Disabilities Act passed by the United States Congress in 1990. The legislation required American businesses to provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment including the restructuring of jobs, altering the layout of workstations, and modifying equipment.

However, some forward-thinking companies, including Minnesota's own 3M, didn't need the prompting of federal legislation to do the right thing. In fact, 3M started attracting employees with disabilities even before the ADA was adopted.
"3M has been a great leader for businesses throughout Minnesota and the country on the integration and accommodation of persons with disabilities into the workforce," said Rep. Lillie. "3M knows, just as Rep. Atkins and myself, that not only is this the right thing to do, but it's also good for business and good for our state."

As the former Mayor of Inver Grove Heights when the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted, along with words of encouragement Rep. Atkins also voiced words of caution for his Norwegian counterparts should they implement a policy similar to the ADA in their own country.

"Don't just create more unfunded mandates," said Atkins. "If you're going to make local governments or businesses do something, you need to help them pay for it."

Atkins went on to share stories about how local businesses in Inver Grove Heights had a hard time adjusting to the new mandate in the early 90s because of the costs that came with accommodating workers with disabilities. A Norwegian lawmaker present at the meeting who was also a former mayor agreed with Atkins and graciously thanked him for his advice.
Members of Norway's Labour Committee are now on the way to Washington DC to meet with federal lawmakers and field their advice on this and other policy-related topics.

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