Congressman Bruce Vento (1940-2000)
In 1977 at the age of 36, Bruce Vento, a junior high science and social studies teacher who had already served six years in the Minnesota legislature, took office as a Democratic congressman for Minnesota. He served in Washington for 24 years until his diagnosis of mesothelioma caused him to forego a reelection bid. Congressman Vento was known as a champion of working people, the environment and the homeless.
Called the environmental conscience of the House of Representatives, Congressman Vento served as Committee Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands for more than a decade and was central to the passage of more than 300 laws that protect America’s natural resources, including laws preserving wilderness areas in Alaska, Minnesota, and American Samoa. Congressman Vento was the National Park Conservation Association’s 1987
Conservationist of the Year and was awarded the Wilderness Society’s 1994 Ansel Adams Conservation Award as well as Sierra Club honors for his work on behalf of the environment. In 2001, the National Park Trust established the Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award to recognize people who have made exceptional contributions to the preservation of the nation’s natural and historic resources. His native St. Paul is home to the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. Congressman Vento also was co-author of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and was specially recognized by President Bill Clinton for his work on behalf of the homeless.
Bruce Vento was exposed to asbestos when he took a summer job as a laborer in an East St. Paul factory to save money for school, and he was diagnosed with mesothelioma 35 years later. He underwent aggressive treatment, including the removal of one lung, but mesothelioma soon reappeared on the other side of his chest. He died at home with his family, just three days after his 60th birthday and only eight months after announcing his diagnosis.
Like Terry McCann, Congressman Vento’s widow Susan Vento has been outspoken about the plight of mesothelioma victims and opposed the proposed “asbestos bailout” bill that would have protected asbestos manufacturers from litigation and denied asbestos victims their day in court. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) and is Chairperson of the Foundation’s Family Advocacy Board. The energy and dedication of patients and their families, like Susan Vento, is critical to increasing awareness and support for research that may result in more effective treatments for mesothelioma.