Allen I. Olson

Allen Ingvar Olson (born November 5, 1938 in Rolla , North Dakota ) is an American politician . He was the 28th governor of the state of North Dakota between 1981 and 1984  .

Early years and political advancement

After finishing school, Allen Olson studied law at the University of North Dakota . In 1963 he joined the US Army and worked there as a military lawyer. He was stationed first in Washington, DC and then in Munich . After returning to civilian life, he worked briefly on a government committee in North Dakota before joining a major law firm in 1969. Between 1972 and 1980 he was Attorney General of North Dakota and was then elected as the Republican Party candidate for the new governor of his state.

North Dakota Governor

Olson began his four-year term on January 6, 1981. As governor, he faced a lawsuit brought against the state of North Dakota by the Association of the Disabled. He also started an initiative against drunk road users. Under Olson, the state acquired parts of the Cross Ranch , which was established as a new state park for the centenary of North Dakota in 1989 . A new ministry was set up in the government with the “Department of Human Services”.

Another résumé

After his tenure ended, Olson returned to practice as a lawyer. In 1987 he became co-owner of a company in New Hope ( Minnesota ). In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed him to an international commission dealing with intergovernmental issues between Canada and the United States.

Web links

• Allen Olson in the National Governors Association (English)
• North Dakota Historical Society (English)