SAINT PAUL, MN — During last week’s Midwest Legislative Conference held in Winnipeg Canada, Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South Saint Paul) offered two resolutions which were supported unanimously by legislators from across the United States and Canada. The resolutions supported federal efforts to address the rural mental health crisis among farmers and to help states combat chronic wasting disease.
“Minnesotans, Americans, and Canadians all expect us to address issues important to our communities,” remarked Rep. Rick Hansen. “We have a crisis in rural American where male farmers are taking their own lives at twice the rate they were a few decades ago. The unanimous passage of resolutions supporting federal efforts to address this crisis in our rural communities shows that we’re united in making sure we take action.”
“I’m also pleased to see the support for combating chronic wasting disease,” continued Hansen. “CWD is devastating deer herds and threatening our great outdoors and tourist industry. It’s great to see this group of legislators united behind stopping CWD.”
The Midwest Legislative Conference is comprised of legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In addition, four Canadian provinces — Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
Rep. Hansen’s resolutions can be found here Resolution in Support of Federal Legislation on Chronic Wasting Disease and here Resolution in Support of State and Federal Efforts to Address Rural Mental Health Needs.
Rep. Rick Hansen is the DFL-Lead on the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee.
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