After the sunrise ceremony, I went to Winona City Hall for the Sesqui Capital for a Day ceremonies, including a speech by Governor Tim Pawlenty. In his remarks, Pawlenty acknowledged that Native Americans paid a steep and painful price for Minnesota’s statehood. (I didn’t record his speech and I don’t remember the exact wording but I’ll see if I can get the text of his remarks from the Sesqui office.)
After his speech, Pawlenty shook hands with each member of the various veterans groups that were flanking the podium, including members of the Andrew Blackhawk American Legion Post from Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
