One Year Ago

Dean Phillips
Nov 6 · 2 min read

One year ago, you bestowed upon me a great blessing and responsibility: Representing Minnesota’s Third Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. As I reflect on my first year in Congress and prepare for the months ahead, I want to thank everyone I have the honor of serving; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Representing you is the best job I’ve ever had, and your ideas, perspectives, comments — and even criticisms — have been invaluable.

When I embarked on this journey, I committed to inviting everybody to the conversation — a mission that continues to this very day. Representation begins with listening to everyone, and some of the most illuminating conversations I’ve had have been with Minnesotans whose perspectives are different than mine.

This job will always be about representing you, not special interests. That’s why I never have, and never will, accept money from PACs, federal lobbyists or even fellow members of Congress. As the only one of the 535 members of the House and Senate to have taken that pledge, I am beholden only to you, the people of Minnesota who I represent, and the values and principles we share.

And as we look ahead to 2020, I invite all of us, no matter your political affiliations or interests, to engage in conversation with one another. While our politics are more polarized than ever, we must not forget the power of community and the responsibility of respect. So please consider introducing yourself to your neighbors. Make a point of starting a discussion with someone who see things differently than you. Listen to the stories of people whose lives look unlike your own. And make someone’s day with a random act of kindness. The antidote to divisiveness isn’t in Congress, rather it’s in our homes, neighborhoods and houses of worship. And if you take the time, you’ll find there’s a lot more that unites us than divides us.

Together, we can repair our divisions and rebuild the bonds that make America the greatest nation on Earth. And while challenging days lie ahead, the joy of representing you and my faith in the future will sustain my hopefulness. I hope our paths cross soon, and remember….optimism is just as contagious as fear.

Onwards!

-Dean

Dean Phillips

Written by

Dad, entrepreneur, Minnesota State Fair and hockey enthusiast, and Congressman for #MN03. Everyone’s Invited!

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