Former Chief Clerk Ed Burdick passes away

The longtime voice of the House of Representatives has died.

Edward A. Burdick, the former chief clerk of the House, passed away in his sleep early this morning. A 62-year employee of the House, Burdick spent the last 38 years as the chief clerk before retiring in 2004.

"I've paid my dues and I'm going to move on. I'm comfortable with my decision," he said at the time in an interview for Session Weekly.

When he was appointed chief clerk in 2005, Al Mathiowetz admitted he was fortunate to have worked with the deep-voiced Burdick and had the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of someone of legendary status.

"He obviously had a lot of patience with me and a lot of encouragement over the years. There isn't a better teacher around. I can say that I probably had 33 years of the Ed Burdick University of Parliamentary Procedure."

Burdick, a nationally recognized expert on parliamentary procedure, began his House career in 1941 as a page, was named chief page two years later, became an assistant at the front desk in 1947 and was elected chief clerk in 1967. He missed just one session (1951), for active military duty.

"Ed was a Minnesota icon and the spirit of the Minnesota House of Representatives," House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) said in a statement."Our chamber at the State Capitol will stand united today in memory of a fine man who truly defined the meaning of public servant. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

"The House chamber will possess an emptiness and a little less spirit given Ed’s passing," House Minority Leader Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls) said in a statement.

Funeral details have yet to be announced.