Welcome

Hello,

Several of us have spent the better part of the last few months working with the Iron Range legislative delegation, the Commissioner of Health, and Governor Pawlenty’s office on legislation to fund a University of Minnesota-led research project into taconite worker health. On April 28, 2008, the Governor made it official, signing the bill into law and allowing us to move forward on this important project.

We are pleased at the overwhelmingly bi-partisan show of support for this work, and for the health of Minnesota’s mine workers and their families. The law provides $4.9 million for the project which includes research by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the University of Minnesota-Duluth-based Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI).

Please join me for a meeting of the Minnesota Taconite Workers Lung Health Partnership on Thursday, June 12, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Joe Begich Building, Iron Range Resources, 4261 Highway 53 South, Eveleth, Minn.

• Download the meeting announcement and agenda (PDF)

RSVP by e-mail to me at SPHdean@umn.edu or call (612) 624-6708, and leave your name and the organization which you represent. I hope to see you there.

--John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
Dean, University of Minnesota School of Public Health

June 12, 2008 Meeting Presentation

• Download the Meeting Presentation

In the News

Newspaper coverage

Air particulate tests begin on Iron Range
Duluth News Tribune
June 3, 2008

Study good use of funds
The Daily Journal, International Falls
April 25, 2008

Editorial: Getting answers for the Iron Range
Star Tribune
April 23, 2008

Legislature sends Pawlenty bill to delve into lung cancer on Iron Range
Associated Press, Star Tribune
April 24, 2008

Study of rare affliction among miners gets a push
Star Tribune
April 17, 2008

Minnesota legislators give final approval to cancer study
The Bemidji Pioneer
April 25, 2008

Radio coverage

Iron Range cancer study passes Legislature
Minnesota Public Radio
April 24, 2008

Television coverage

Senate Approves Cancer Study
Northland's NewsCenter
April 22, 2008

Minn. Senate Approves Miner Cancer Research in Unanimous Vote
FOX 9 News
April 21, 2008

Health Study Money Approved by Governor
WDIO-TV
April 28, 2008