Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, May 09, 2008
Debate flares over hockey honor as House passes schools bill
ST. PAUL — A move to make hockey Minnesota’s official sport has prompted some cross-checking on the House floor.
House members are clashing over whether one sport should be singled out over others.
Representative Bud Heidgerken (HYDE’-ger-ken) says it’s demeaning to young athletes trying to choose a sport and doesn’t mean anything in some parts of the state where hockey isn’t popular.
But Representative Dean Urdahl says the provision doesn’t aim to put down any other sport but instead to recognize hockey’s unique place in Minnesota and its history.
The hockey measure is part of a larger education bill that passed the House and is headed to Governor Tim Pawlenty, who has threatened to veto it.
He says it doesn’t contain enough accountability measures.
All stories copyright 2000 - 2006 La Crosse Tribune and other attributed sources.