ST. PAUL, MN – Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL—Minneapolis) was recently selected as a Bush Foundation Fellow.
He joins legislative colleague Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL—St. Paul), North Dakota State Rep. Ron Guggisberg, and U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Official Christine Sorensen. This final round of selections was made exclusively from applicants who serve as elected and government officials.
Rep. Dehn’s fellowship will focus on the impact of the built environment (including infrastructure), its aesthetics, and how it can help to create thriving neighborhoods.
“I’m thrilled to receive this opportunity,” said Rep. Dehn. “Physical design decisions around civic buildings, transportation and housing impact the economic, environmental and even cultural aspects of the community, as well as the health and well-being of individuals. I have been working locally on these issues for over a decade. That experience, along with my work in the architecture profession and city government give me a solid base from which to decipher how these areas of essential built infrastructure interconnect with both the economy and community beautification.”
“As elected and government officials, these Bush Fellows have a unique vision and opportunity for improving the quality of life in their communities,” said Martha Lee, manager of the Bush Fellowship Program.”
The Bush Foundation began offering fellowships in 1965. Since then, more than 2,200 individuals have been named Bush Fellows. The Foundation’s focus on building the capacity of individuals to solve problems in their communities sprang from founder Archibald Bush’s belief that providing opportunities for people with energy and ideas would have great impact on the community.