WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar released the following statement on the passing of former Minnesota Attorney General Warren Spannaus:
“One of my first jobs in government was as an intern in the consumer division for Attorney General Warren Spannaus. He became a lifelong friend and mentor.
“We worked again together for eight years at Dorsey & Whitney law firm where my office was right next door to his. Warren was a unique figure at the law firm. He would always sit back in his chair and put his feet up on his desk, and the soles of his shoes would inevitably have holes in them. He kept a tin of shoe polish and an old cloth in his desk drawer, and he would often shine his shoes while we talked about work or, more often, politics. For years he and his pal Judge Gerald Heaney would regularly talk on the phone at great length, Warren from the law firm, Judge Heaney from his chambers in Duluth. The topic was always the latest political battle. Like Judge Heaney, Warren never forgot where he came from. At least once a month a man with disabilities who Warren had helped back when he was attorney general would stop by. Warren would always give him a little cash for lunch.
“Warren was always of course very close to my other mentor, Vice President Walter Mondale. It is a lasting testament to their friendship that when Vice President Mondale learned that the University of Minnesota Law School wanted to name its new building after him, he insisted that the student lounge in the building be named after a true friend of the man on the street, Warren Spannaus.
“I’m grateful for all of the things Warren Spannaus taught me, and Minnesota is better for his service.”
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