A number of stories about former Minnesota U.S. Rep. Bill Frenzel have come my way since he died on Nov. 17, at age 86. One might be of use to newly elected members of the Minnesota House, where Frenzel started his political career and served from 1963 through 1970.

It came to me from former Court of Appeals Judge Jack Davies, who arrived in the state Senate four years before Frenzel's came to the House, and was a member of the Liberal (now DFL) caucus, then in the minority.

Frenzel affiliated with the majority Conservative (now Republican) caucus. But he wasn't initially treated as a rising star, Davies related. To the contrary: Frenzel was denied the seats he sought on major committees, presumably because he had backed the losing candidate for speaker, Aubrey Dirlam, within the Conservative caucus. The winner, Lloyd Duxbury Jr., rewarded his allies with plum assignments, leaving Frenzel out in the cold.

"So Frenzel let it be known within the lobbyist corps that he had time to handle a 'few' bills," Davies said. "Already realizing his ability, many lobbyists came to him with their major bills. Frenzel took on sponsorship of an impressive number." He wound up making considerable impact on state policy, despite his lesser committee assignments.

That's the story Frenzel related to Davies at the session's end. Frenzel added: "Duxbury came to me yesterday and said 'You win.'" The next session, Duxbury assigned Frenzel to two major committees, appropriations and commerce. The future congressional leader on fiscal policy was on his way.