WHEREAS, Peter McLaughlin joined the Hennepin County Board in 1991, and has served the South Minneapolis and downtown residents of District 4 and the rest of Hennepin County with empathy, passion, innovation and an eye for the long view; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner McLaughlin has earned accolades for his dogged and tireless work to achieve a 21st Century transportation system that honors the needs of drivers, transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, his leadership, persistence and collaboration with labor, business, other government bodies, the community and the region has resulted in the Green and Blue light rail lines, and plans to create and regenerate robust transit-friendly residential and commercial communities; and
WHEREAS, from his commitment to library and educational initiatives, to innovative programs to help residents overcome barriers to employment, Commissioner McLaughlin has been a strong advocate for residents’ own aspirations to achieve economic self-sufficiency and success for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner McLaughlin’s work on Target Field, Target Field Station, Fort Snelling’s Upper Post and multiple community organizations demonstrates his appreciation for quality places to live and work; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner McLaughlin has helped to make our communities safer and has given residents a chance at a better future by supporting a range of actions to prevent crime and deal compassionately with adult and youth offenders; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner McLaughlin is wrapping up a 27-year tenure on the County Board, and his colleagues will miss his humor, creativity and zeal to create a better community; therefore