Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty Tuesday announced that the new Minnesota Department of Human Services building, now under construction, will be named to honor former Minnesota Gov. Elmer L. Andersen. Andersen, who served as the stateís chief executive in 1961-62, was at Pawlentyís side as the happy announcement was made by Pawlenty in the Governorís reception room at the State Capitol. Andersen was accompanied by wife Eleanor, other family members and friends.
During his legislative days, Andersen developed a reputation of being a pioneer in instituting and supporting a variety of human service programs. He has continued an emphasis on human services program in the private sector, most notably at H.B. Fuller Co. and at ECM Publishers, Inc.
One of his most notable human services contributions was a partial paid parental leave for associates, both at Fuller and at ECM. Andersen, 94, is publisher emeritus of ECM Publishers, a newspaper printing group including 17 community weekly newspapers and eight shoppers.
Andersen founded ECM Publishers in 1976 when he merged the Princeton Union and the Princeton Eagle newspapers. The ECM printing plant in Princeton currently prints the regional editions of the New York Times and all editions of the Minnesota Daily, student newspaper of the University of Minnesota. ECM Publishers currently employs more than 500 workers.
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