By Mike Kaszuba

With just a week remaining in office, Gov. Tim Pawlenty donated an oversized "veto pen" Monday to the Minnesota Historical Society in an attempt to highlight his legacy as the state's most prolific user of the veto. Two years ago, the Republican governor set a record for the most vetoes issued in one year by a Minnesota governor. Pawlenty issued 34 vetoes in 2008, easily breaking the previous record of 29 set by Gov. Arne Carlson in 1993. His veto total in 2008 was the highest since 1939, when modern-day records started to be kept. The governor's office said Monday that the oversized pen was part of a collection of documents and artifacts that Pawlenty -- who is considering a run for president -- turned over from his eight years in office. The collection, the office said, included the actual veto stamps the governor used. During his two terms, the governor's office said, Pawlenty issued 299 complete bill and line-item vetoes.