Former Minnesota congressman Martin Sabo dies at 78

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Martin Olav Sabo, a longtime Minnesota congressman whose quiet Scandinavian demeanor conveyed a sense of civility during increasingly partisan times in Washington, has died at age 78.

Politicians praised Sabo, a Norwegian Lutheran, for his understated manner and ability to deliver millions of dollars to the Twin Cities for road and housing projects, including the Hiawatha Avenue light-rail line and the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center.

The Democratic governor called Sabo "a great political leader and outstanding public servant."

Before being elected to Congress, the North Dakota native served 18 years in the Minnesota Legislature, where he was first elected in 1960 at age 22 and rose to House minority leader, and then speaker.

In announcing his retirement after a 46-year political career, Sabo called putting together the 1993 federal budget as House Budget Committee chairman one of his proudest accomplishments.