Convention work brought
introduction to Humphrey
Posted 1/29/03

Before long, I was recommended to cover the national and state conventions making plans to come to the twin cities or Minnesota places. The Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Convention Bureau hired me because I lived at home and these convention people could pay less because I was closer in the area for my travel, hotel and meals. That business grew. In the court reporting business, it was a well known fact, among court reporters, that recording conventions was the most difficult kind of reporting work. Everyone had different terminology - no short forms could be used - all the shorthand notes had to bc phonetically written - no abbreviated words - because you might not be able to read your notes when transcribing these meetings. So the official pen writers stayed away.

Besides, the convention meetings were more difficult for the pen writers who were looking at their shorthand pad while I could look around and easily identify, or signal when necessary. Court reporters usually write a few words or a short sentence, behind the words spoken, to be sure the message was comprehended. If the pen writer was to interrupt to ask for a repeat, or for some other reason, it could be too late. I could signal, finish what was said and then ask for whatever words I needed. Pen writers could master this situation but it was more difficult and they had to make the best of the situation. That was frustrating. Convention work could be edited somewhat because it was not sworn testimony to make the speaker sound better. But, be careful!

However, I found the convention people were most helpful and cooperative. I supplied the Minnesota visitors with a satisfactory and timely transcript as promised. As time passed, local monthly and yearly board meetings and annual conventions of the area were mine, and I made the time available. I took the interim board meetings and annual conventions for the Diocese of Minnesota, of the Episcopal Church, and board and annual conventions of the State American Legion. It was my pleasure, especially, to work with these two for over 30 years because they were helpful and treated me as one of theirs.

In convention work I became acquainted with Hubert Humphrey when he was the Minneapolis mayor. He officially welcomed many of the conventions in Minneapolis. In those early days of his career, I had trouble finding a place for a period in a whole page. Since this was not a court proceeding, I could edit, to make him look better. He rambled - fast.

He had a gift of remembering people and of greeting them with their names. He seldom failed to say my full name: first Ms. Hanenburg, then Ms. Smith, before he continued on his way. He'd say something like, "It's nice seeing you, Fannie." I thought that was a gift. Most times in this business I was there, given no attention, just expected when needed and the transcript afterwards.

When he became national senator, he prepared his speeches in writing for the convention people and the press. He always appeared late for his speaking engagements. The assembly was asked to stay in their seats, or stand in place, because he's going to appear any second. When he arrived with a few "helpers" after as long as a half hourís wait, he was welcomed with loud applause. However, on his way to the podium, he greeted many, reaching into the seats to make acquaintance with these people. This took several minutes. Every other guest speaker arrived at least a few minutes early and quietly sat in a chair near me or in the front row until called on. Hubert always made his impact.

When he reached the platform, he told the clapping audience to take their seats. By this time, he had distributed copies of his speech to me, to the press and the convention people. He made some introductory remarks and began to read his prepared speech. Before he got through the first paragraph, he never looked at his prepared script again. After Hubert finished well over his allotted time, the news people were up in arms. They had sent the script copy to their newspapers, to the radio, and later to television. These newspaper men came to me before I had packed to leave asking me to read the speech given. I spent a couple hours reading my notes for them. Nobody came forward to pay for my time, so I refused to do this reading for them after more than a few times of doing so.

This stimulating man, HHH, left the convention schedule well behind time. Either the next speaker had to shorten his speech, the noon hour had to be shortened, or the convention ran overtime that day. Often, there were banquets and/or evening activities that were expected to start close to the scheduled time.

Hubert had an unusual amount of energy. When he gave pep talks for his constituents in preparation for an election, his energy was overwhelming. He could talk three or four hours, sometimes longer without a break, and say, "Stand and stretch for a moment, I have more to tell you."

He had three children: two boys and a girl. They worked with him when he was a senator. After he died the girl and one son mostly disappeared from the public and the media. However, his son Hubert H. Humphrey III, ran for Minnesota attorney general, against a well known attorney. My judge was assigned to do their recount as requested by HHH. All indications showed that the lawyer had the votes. After all that, the lawyer decided to withdraw, so HHH was elected, as state attorney general. Hubert H. Humphrey III, was in that position for many years, though he campaigned against some others for different offices.