Letter to the editor: Haak has contributed much during 2013 session

I could not be more proud to work alongside all members of the North Dakota Legislature, and take great pride in the work of our Democratic-NPL Caucus. I am impressed daily by the collective knowledge, passion and experience that its members bring to the House of Representatives.

I am also very proud of the six new members of our freshman class of legislators. They have brought a new and exciting energy to this chamber and work every day to represent their constituents fairly and accurately.

I want to specifically mention Rep. Jessica Haak, D-Jamestown. She was a heavily recruited, well-sought-after candidate due to her work at the North Dakota Farmers Union, her time spent on the United Way Board of Directors, her passion and commitment to giving back through volunteerism and her dedication to the city of Jamestown.

She has brought that experience and passion with her to Bismarck and has represented Jamestown well — specifically her votes to aid long-term care organizations (House bills 1035, 1012), her vote to give more funds back to local firefighters (HB 1145), her support of child care and children’s issues (HB 1422, HB 1421) and her work to get a housing credit back to families in Jamestown (HB 1029).

Haak has been an exceptional example of what it means to live and learn through the legislative process, and I know she will continue to do so through her work for the people she represents.

Part of that work and commitment is communicating with our constituents, which has evolved from taking phone calls from the House floor and utilizing a typewriter, to modern-day technology such as cell phones, computers and email as means of communication. Additionally, social media has become integral to the process of transparency, and I support all legislators utilizing all forms of communication to ensure that the people who elect us are aware of what is happening at the Capitol on their behalf.

I look forward to continue working alongside Haak and the rest of my peers as they bring forth new ideas and legislation to benefit North Dakota.

(Onstad, a Democrat, represents District 4 in the North Dakota House of Representatives)

Tags: opinion, letters, politics