Norway's ambassador coming to Minnesota, other states in region

By PAUL WALSH

Last update: April 11, 2008 - 10:20 AM

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With his nation's consulate in Minneapolis scheduled to be downgraded within months, Norway's ambassador to the United States is scheduled to tour Minnesota and three neighboring states next week in what his Embassy in Washington, D.C., terms an effort to "deepen relations with the Norwegian-American heartland."

"The Midwest has been fertile ground for the extensive bonds between Norway and the United States - between families, friends, schools and businesses," the embassy quoted Ambassador Wegger Chr. Strommen in a news release as saying.

Strommen's visits to Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota will see him tour historical, cultural and educational institutions, many of which were founded by Norwegian immigrants. His first stop is Tuesday at Augustana College in Sioux Falls.

In Minnesota, he'll meet on Wednesday with former Vice President Walter Mondale, who is tapped to become honorary Norwegian consul general in Minnesota this summer, and with Gov. Tim Pawlenty to discuss "expansion of bilateral cooperation between Minnesota and Norway."

Mondale, whose grandfather emigrated from Norway in 1857, agreed to take the role of honorary consul general in Minneapolis amid Norwegian officials' plans to cut four staff members in the city and downgrade the consulate to "honorary" status.

Local Norwegian-Americans mounted a spirited lobbying campaign to save it, sending a delegation to the old country last fall. Pawlenty also sent a letter to Strommen opposing the move.

Strommen, while in Minneapolis last November, heard complaints about the downgrade. He said then that "these decisions were taken before I took up my post. ... What I absolutely will assure you, though, is that we will carry on all the good work that has been done."

The consulate office in Minneapolis was established in 1906. It serves nine states, including North Dakota, which has the highest percentage of Norwegians in the United States. Minnesota has more than 800,000 residents who claim some Norwegian ancestry, more than any other state.

Also while in Minnesota next week, Strommen will visit St. Olaf College in Northfield on Tuesday, Augsburg College in Minneapolis on Wednesday and Concordia College in Moorhead on Thursday.

For more details on Strommen's itinerary, visit norway.org.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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