I really appreciated reading the Dec. 30 Marshall Independent’s article by Deb Gau on Norm DeBlieck. The headline of the article was “A gentleman with a big heart”; the sub headline was “Former state legislator known as a staunch supporter of farmers”

What the article didn’t say that I would like to share was that Norman was a real leader In Minnesota Groundswell (steering committee) during the farm crisis of the 1980s. Norman was a key leader in Lyon County local groundswell effort that led to farm crisis rallies at Southwest State University, rallies in Clarkfield and Willmar, –and most importantly — he was part of the leadership team to bring 17,000 farmers to the state capitol on a very cold day in January of 1985, along with a tractorcade and rally in 1986 again at the state capitol.

Norman spent many days walking the floors of the state capitol with farmers fighting for a moratorium on farm foreclosures and relief for family farmers. As a result of his organizing efforts with other farmers, key legislation like farm mediation (still law today), interest buydown, and right of 1st refusal was passed in 1986 that gave Minnesota farmers some basic human rights and relief even before he was elected to the Minnesota House in 1987.

I had the opportunity to work with Norman in Minnesota Groundswell and at the state legislature. One piece of legislation that Norman sponsored — but which didn’t become law — was a provision that would have stopped a lender from a legal proceeding to move the family out of their farm home that was being foreclosed upon. I share this because this demonstrate Norm’s compassion and sense of justice for the value of human life that he demonstrated as a leader in Minnesota Groundswell, also as a leader in the Lyon County DFL, and as a state legislator.

What Minnesota needs now more than ever is for all of us to strengthen our resolve to advance people like Norm, who have the keen sense of social justice, to all aspects of leadership including elected offices, our churches, and our farm organizations.

Norm’s passing is a good time to remember that good people like Norm whose hearts are for people, not political power or personal gain, is how we can rebuild trust and heal the decisive division that seems so rampant in Minnesota.

Paul Sobocinski

Wabasso Area Livestock Farmer

— Paul Sobocinski is a former member of Minnesota Groundswell steering committee from 1985-1990