Jacobs, Lawrence R.2021-01-272021-01-272012-02-22https://hdl.handle.net/11299/218163The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance is hosting a series of public talks by prominent government leaders as part of our ongoing commitment to fostering informed and substantive discussion on important matters of public policy. The series kicks off on January 17 and will continue throughout the Spring semester. Connecting with Government will allow Minnesota's elected officials the opportunity to rise above the talking points and fractious back-and-forth of the legislative process to make substantive statements about issues of importance for Minnesotans. It also creates a forum for students and citizens to listen and raise questions with their elected officials. U.S. Congressman Tim Walz is currently serving his third term representing Minnesota's First Congressional District. The First Congressional District spans the southern part of Minnesota — from the South Dakota border in the west to the Wisconsin border in the east. Walz proudly serves the people of southern Minnesota on three committees in the United States House of Representatives: Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure and Veterans Affairs. He also is one of nine House Members to serve on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. In the 112th Congress, Walz will serve in leadership posts with the Congressional Rural Caucus and the National Guard and Reserve Caucus. Tim Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska and is the son of a public school administrator and community activist. Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard at the young age of 17, and retired 24 years later as Command Sergeant Major. Before retiring, Walz served overseas with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Walz is the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress. In 1989, Walz earned a B.S. in social science education from Chadron State College in Nebraska. Walz spent 1989-1990 teaching high school in China as a part of the first government sanctioned groups of American educators to teach in China through a program at Harvard University. In the mid 1990s Walz began teaching and coaching at Mankato West High School. Walz is presently on unpaid leave from Mankato West High School while he serves in the United States Congress. Since coming to Congress, Walz has made improving the care of our nation's veterans a top priority. He has been recognized for his work in Congress with awards from AMVETS, the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, the American Cancer Society, the National Association of Development Organizations, and the Matthew Shepard FoundationenTim WalzConnecting with Government with Representative Tim WalzPresentation