by Pam Greenberg
[Note: This article was originally posted in May 2009. Repairing a broken link to the video caused it to be re-published today.]
The Minnesota Legislative Research Library has uncovered a lost treasure: a documentary film about the legislative process written and produced for NCSL in 1976 by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Charles Guggenheim, whose Academy-award winning films included Nine From Little Rock, A Time for Justice, and The Johnstown Flood.
The 30-minute documentary film, The First Branch of Government: From Grass Roots to Law, follows former Minnesota Representative Thomas Berg (photo) as he attempts to pass The Metropolitan Land Planning Act.
Former Representative Ray Faricy converted the film from its original format to DVD and gave it to the library, which in turn converted it to a media file format and made it available to all through the Legislature’s website.
The film begins, “Every year, 7,565 Americans travel to their state capitals to work. These citizen legislators carry with them the concerns and aspirations of their people—values which will ultimately determine the future of our children, our institutions and the quality of our land. This is the story of one of them—and the men and women who have joined him in performing this work.”
As Library Director Robbie LaFleur observes:
“Many of the scenes and sounds are anachronistic—typewriters clacking, people smoking in offices and committee rooms, and window air conditioners. Check out the plaid jackets! There are no cell phones or laptops in sight. But the human process of the Legislature that is portrayed is just as real today. Constituents have conflicting needs, priorities need balancing, and sometimes a legislator becomes irritated at roadblocks to the passage of a bill. Frustrating floor debates drag on and end in disappointment. It's difficult to balance the demands of office with home life. The film could be shown in a civics class today.”
The film really makes you feel as though you are standing in Representative Berg's shoes. He and others in the film seem totally unaware of the cameras and crew. There are scenes of Berg meeting with his constituents, talking with local officials, driving hundreds of miles on snowy roads for hearings throughout the state, and strategizing with colleagues. Berg is also faced with compromise—changing his bill in order to win wider support or risk losing the cause completely. A businessman opens his testimony at a committee hearing with: “Well, I’m one of those nasty developers...” Berg also talks with school kids in the chamber, telling them “I really hope in about 20 years several of you will be sitting out there in those seats, trying to decide what’s best for the state of Minnesota.”
The film ends by stating NCSL’s mission at that time (similar to, but shorter than our current mission):
“As an organization of the nation’s legislators and legislative staff, we have an obligation to the American people:
- To improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures
- To assure states a strong, cohesive voice in the federal decision-making process
- To foster interstate communication and cooperation
We intend to live up to that obligation.”
The film may not go viral on YouTube, but among legislative junkies or legislator wannabe's, it's a must see.
What a great idea to post this, Pam! I didn't know that the Minnesota Legislative Research Library had put the video up online. I was involved in the production of this video and haven't seen it for years. It wears well. The First Branch of Government was NCSL's first effort to improve public understanding and appreciation of state legislatures. It debuted at NCSL's Annual Meeting in Detroit in 1976.
Posted by: Karl Kurtz | May 06, 2009 at 03:31 PM
This is a fantastic documentary! I particularly enjoyed the legislator's comments about the "good quality of North Dakota legislators" and that "both states would benefit if he went over there." Those two states haven't always seen eye to eye, but it's fun to see that comraderie across state lines. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: K Hanson | May 07, 2009 at 10:25 AM
This is fantastic-- a lost treasure, indeed. I'll be using it in my classes in the fall (although I will have to explain what a rotary phone is). Thanks!
Posted by: Chris | June 12, 2010 at 08:44 AM
Can someone type transpict or subtitle for deaf people like myself? Its great video and now I know what my work was back in 1970's! Martin Sabo look so familiar. Technology like Laptops and accessible for disablities wasn't a thing during that era but lot have changed at Minnesota State Legislature. Not many people are wearing striped jackets at the Capitol nowdays.
Posted by: Rachel Eggert | June 13, 2010 at 05:15 PM