Governor Arthur A. Link

Høstfest Millenium Award
1999 HONOREE

In honor of the turn of the century, the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame awarded the “Høstfest Mellenium Award” to the state Governors who had given generously of their time and talents to help develop the great state of North Dakota during the past century.

Arthur A. Link, a Democrat, has devoted his life to public service since 1942 when he became a member of the Randolph Township Board in McKenzie County. He served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1946 to 1971, and as West District Congressman from North Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1971and 1972.

Following his term in Washington, D.C., Link returned to North Dakota and was elected governor in 1973, serving until 1981. During his terms, Link created the Office of Energy Management and the Natural Resources Council. He negotiated the first loan guarantee from the federal government for construction of the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant near Beulah. North Dakota products and services found a niche in the world market thanks to the efforts of Governor Link. He lead trade missions to Egypt, Jordan, and Japan and supported the creation of a foreign trade office in West Germany.

Link has remained busy in public life since leaving the governorship in 1981. He serves on many boards and commissions, and is working to limit the growth in gambling through the North Dakota Council on Gambling Problems.

Art and Grace Link raised five sons and one daughter, and now live in Bismarck.