Bruce Vento

Bruce Frank Vento
File:Ventob.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 4th district
In office 1977–2000
Preceded by	Joseph Karth
Succeeded by	Betty McCollum
Personal details
Political party	Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Bruce Frank Vento (October 7, 1940–October 10, 2000), American politician, was a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 until his death in 2000, in the 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd, 104th, 105th, and 106th congresses, representing Minnesota's 4th congressional district.

Vento was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and was educated at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he received his BA in 1961. He was a public school teacher in Minneapolis, Minnesota prior to entering politics. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1971 until 1976 before entering the House.

Vento is recognized for his efforts in cleaning the environment and promoting affordable housing. He is also widely known for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1986, which provides federal money for shelter programs. He died in 2000 while still a member of Congress from mesothelioma, as a result of exposure to asbestos. His death occurred shortly before the 2000 election, in which he was not running for another term, so no special election or new candidates were needed to replace him.

The Bruce Vento Regional Trail runs through St. Paul, Minnesota. Along this path, by the Johnson Parkway just north of Phalen Avenue, a memorial grove has also been named in his honor.

References

• Minnesota Legislators Past and Present
• The Bruce Vento Papers, including extensive records of his congressional service, are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society.

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress