McCollum Invites Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson as Guest for President Obama's First State of the Union Address

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) has invited Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson to be her guest to President Obama's first State of the Union Address on Wednesday, January 27. Knutson was elected president of the of the 300,000 member labor federation in August 2009, and is the first woman in the Minnesota AFL-CIO's history to hold this office. McCollum expects President Obama to focus his remarks on putting Americans back to work, investing in our economic recovery, and passing health care reform legislation.

"Too many Americans are hurting because they have lost their job or are worried about losing a job," said Congresswoman McCollum. "No one understands the issues facing working families better than Shar Knutson. Her leadership of the Minnesota AFL-CIO is making a difference for Minnesota families. I am honored that she is joining me as my guest for this historic night as President Obama addresses the continuing challenges facing our nation."

Prior to her election to the statewide AFL-CIO, Knutson was elected president to the St. Paul labor federation in 1998. She is a regional representative advising the Executive Board of the national AFL-CIO and has played an active role in the successful campaign to increase labor's voice in national, state and local issues, including raising awareness and promoting community debate about social and economic justice. Knutson served as a policy analyst and assistant to St. Paul Mayor Jim Scheibel, and was on the Greater Twin Cities United Way Board and the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Advisory Council.