When Mark Dayton was sworn in as Minnesota's newest U.S. Senator in January 2001, it was the latest stop in a career that has kept public service to Minnesota and to the nation as its top priority. In more than three decades of service, in a variety of capacities, Mark has worked to use his skills and experience to make life better for the people of Minnesota and for people around the country. Mark was born in Minneapolis on January 26, 1947, and grew up in Minnesota's most prominent retailing family. Mark could have chosen many careers, but he chose to help those less fortunate than himself, and he has dedicated himself to that end throughout his career. After graduating cum laude from Yale University in 1969, where he played varsity ice hockey, he worked for two years in the New York City Public Schools as a 9th grade general science teacher. After spending the next four years as a counselor and administrator for a Boston social service agency, Mark went to work as a legislative assistant to Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale, where he worked on a variety of issues important to his home state. In 1977, Mark returned to Minnesota to take a spot on Governor Rudy Perpich's staff. After one year, he was named the state's Commissioner of Economic Development. In 1982 he decided to make his own run for public office when challenged Republican U.S. Senator David Durenberger in a hard-fought race. Although he fell short, he gave the popular incumbent by far the toughest race of his Senate career. The following year, Mark became Minnesota's Commissioner of Energy and Economic Development, a post he held until 1986. In 1990, the people of Minnesota elected Mark to a four-year term as State Auditor. Throughout his career, he has also played an active role in helping Democratic candidates in Minnesota and across the country win public office and has been just as helpful to state, district and county Democratic organizations. In 1995 and 1996, Ma...