Resolution 7 - We Honor North Dakota’s Byron Knutson

Resolution 7

We Honor North Dakota’s Byron Knutson

WHEREAS: Byron Knutson’s life was shaped at an early age growing up in Harlow, North Dakota, a community where neighbors supported one another; and

WHEREAS: Byron learned the importance of respecting all persons, as his mother, Ruth, named Harlow postmaster by President Roosevelt, welcomed community members without discrimination over nationality, creed or color, into the post office she operated from their home; and,

WHEREAS: Byron was influenced by the principles of the Non-Partisan League, Farmers Union, labor and cooperative movements; and

WHEREAS: Byron was a member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers Union during his 20-year career as a Soo Line Railroad depot agent and telegrapher; and

WHEREAS: Byron’s U.S. Marine Corps service during the Korean War opened his eyes to injustices of the world; and

WHEREAS: Byron believed voting rights led to workers’ rights and positive change; and

WHEREAS: Byron represented Benson County in the North Dakota House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic-NPL Party (elected 1958 and 1960); and

WHEREAS: Byron marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march, which was instrumental in passing the Voting Rights Act; and

WHEREAS:  Byron fought for universal healthcare for working families as North Dakota Insurance Commissioner (elected 1976); and

WHEREAS: Byron was the only member of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party to serve as Labor Commissioner (elected 1986); and

WHEREAS: Byron was a proud member of the North Dakota Public Employees Association; and

WHEREAS: Byron’s many accomplishments were made with the help of family, friends, cooperatives, labor unions, organizers, and voters, along with his wife, Bernice, and daughters Rebecca and Harmony; and therefore be it

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO will honor Byron Knutson’s legacy of fighting for civil rights by working to protect and advance the gains won by the civil rights movement; and be it further 

RESOLVED: The North Dakota AFL-CIO will celebrate the life of Byron Knutson, his dedication to North Dakota’s workers, and all of his many accomplishments as an important part of our history and a guiding light to our future.