1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the 3M African American Network on its 40th anniversary.
1.3WHEREAS, founded in 1976 as the Afro-American Arts Society, the 3M African
1.4American Network since its inception has made immeasurable contributions to 3M and the
1.5Twin Cities community; and
1.6WHEREAS, its members are active volunteers throughout the Twin Cities and beyond
1.7giving of their time, talent, and treasures including as active mentors in adult transition programs,
1.8active United Way volunteers, and actively engaging in encouraging participation in Science,
1.9Technology, Engineering and Math at the K-12 and college levels; and
1.10WHEREAS, they founded and hosted the Summit-University art festival in 1971,
1.11established the 3M AAN Tech internal technical development conference in 2014, and are annual
1.12presenters at the Science Museum of Minnesota's Science Fusion–African Americans in Science
1.13and at the St. Paul Rondo Days Festival; and
1.14WHEREAS, they are active in 3M Visiting Wizards for science demos in schools, key
1.15contributors to the development of 3M's diversity and inclusion policies, and promote leadership
1.16development of their members to facilitate greater contributions to 3M and the community; and
1.17WHEREAS, they have an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of the community
1.18through volunteering and serving as mentors to junior high, high school, and college students; and
1.19WHEREAS, they are sponsors of professional development workshops for its members,
1.203Mers, and other African American professionals and are active board members of Twin Cities
1.21organizations; and
1.22WHEREAS, they are engaged in reviewing, recommending, and selecting recipients
1.23for 3Mgives community grants and annually present Black History Month programming to
1.243M employees; and
1.25WHEREAS, they were the recipient of the 1998 United Negro College Fund Frederick D.
1.26Patterson Leadership award and the 2014 Twin Cities RISE! Community Impact Award; and
1.27WHEREAS, the group is planning on celebrating its 40th anniversary in April 2016; and
1.28NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.29congratulates the 3M African American Network for increasing 3M Employee's awareness and
1.30understanding African American culture and providing a forum for members to enhance their
1.31interpersonal and professional skills grow and develop over the last 40 years.
1.32BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare
1.33an enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of
1.34the Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the 3M African
1.35American Network.

1.36 1.37 1.38

JoAnne M. Zoff Secretary of the Senate

Thomas M. Bakk Chair, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

1.39 1.40

Susan Kent State Senator, District 53