Al Quie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Al Quie
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Quie in 2014
|
|
| 35th Governor of Minnesota | |
| In office January 4, 1979 – January 3, 1983 |
|
| Lieutenant | Lou Wangberg |
| Preceded by | Rudy Perpich |
| Succeeded by | Rudy Perpich |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 1st district |
|
| In office February 18, 1958 – January 3, 1979 |
|
| Preceded by | August Andresen |
| Succeeded by | Arlen Erdahl |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 18th district |
|
| In office January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1958 |
|
| Preceded by | Homer Covert |
| Succeeded by | Arnin Sundet |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Albert Harold Quie
September 18, 1923 Wheeling Township, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | August 18, 2023 (aged 99) Wayzata, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Gretchen Hansen
(m. 1948; died 2015) |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | St. Olaf College (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1945 |
| Unit | United States Naval Air Force |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | World War II Victory Medal |
Albert Harold Quie (pronounced KWEE; September 18, 1923 – August 18, 2023) was an American politician and farmer. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1958 to 1979. Later, he became the Governor of Minnesota from 1979 to 1983.
Al Quie was known as a moderate Republican. He was even considered as a possible Vice President for Ronald Reagan in 1980. He was also on Gerald Ford's list for Vice President in 1974.
Contents
Growing Up: Al Quie's Early Life
Al Quie was born on September 18, 1923. He was the third of four children. His family lived on a farm in Wheeling Township, near Dennison, Minnesota. His grandparents came from Norway. His grandfather bought the family farm after fighting in the Civil War. Al Quie grew up learning to ride horses and milk cows. He was a third-generation farmer.
He finished high school in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1942. During World War II, he joined the United States Navy. He trained to be a fighter pilot. The war ended just as he finished his flight training, so he did not see combat. After the war, he went to St. Olaf College. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in political science. This is where he met his future wife, Gretchen Hansen.
Serving the State and Nation
Like his family before him, Al Quie became a dairy farmer. He was a member of the Republican Party. In 1952, he tried to get elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives but did not win. From 1955 to 1958, he served in the Minnesota State Senate. He represented the 18th District, which included Rice County.
Working in Congress
In 1958, U.S. Representative August Andresen passed away. Al Quie decided to run for his seat in a special election. He won the Republican nomination. Then, he narrowly defeated Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Eugene Foley. He won by only 655 votes. He won a full term later that year.
Al Quie served in the U.S. House of Representatives for many years. He was part of the House Agriculture Committee. He also served on the House Education and Labor Committee. He voted for important laws like the Civil Rights Acts of 1960, 1964, and 1968. He also supported the 24th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws helped protect voting rights for all Americans.
In 1974, Al Quie was considered for Vice President. This was after Richard Nixon resigned and Gerald Ford became president. However, Nelson Rockefeller was chosen instead.
Becoming Governor of Minnesota
In 1978, Al Quie ran for governor of Minnesota. He won against the current governor, Rudy Perpich. During his time as governor, Minnesota faced a big budget problem. He had to make difficult decisions to fix it. Because of these tough choices, he decided not to run for governor again in 1982.
Life After Politics
After leaving his role as governor, Al Quie worked with a non-profit group. This group helped people in prison. He sold his family farm. He also traveled a lot, even going on horseback riding trips.
Personal Life
Al Quie's family had a long history in politics. His grandfather joined the Republican Party when it was new. He supported Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860.
Al Quie was a devoted Lutheran. He married Gretchen Quie, an artist he met at St. Olaf College, on June 5, 1948. Gretchen passed away on December 13, 2015, at age 88. She had Parkinson's disease.
Al Quie died on August 18, 2023. He passed away at his home in Wayzata, Minnesota. He was almost 100 years old.
Images for kids
-
Al Quie in 2014
-
Al Quie in 1977
