pattern of "gross violations of human rights." His efforts laid the foundations for much of Jimmy Carter's human rights agenda and transformed the way the U.S. Department of State operates, mandating that it write annual country reports on human rights and ensuring that diplomatic posts take note of human rights issues. He gave up his seat to run for the U.S. Senate. He narrowly lost the 1978 Senate primary election to Bob Short, who then lost in the general election to David Durenberger. Fraser served as president of Americans for Democratic Action from 1974 to 1976. He was elected mayor of Minneapolis in 1979, taking office on January 2, 1980. His first mayoral term was two years; he was re-elected to three four-year terms. He was the oldest, longest-lived and longest-serving mayor in Minneapolis history. He left office on January 3, 1994, and was succeeded by the city's first female and first African-American mayor, Sharon Sayles Belton. Fraser died on June 2, 2019, at age 95. Papers His papers are available for research. The collection is particularly strong in its documentation of international relations, Democratic Party policy and reform, human rights issues, environmental conservation, and women's issues, in the 1960s and 1970s. Endorsement of United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) On April 23, 2014, Fraser endorsed the proposal for the United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. He is one of only six people who served in Congress to do so. See also McGovern–Fraser Commission References External links Minnesota Legislators Past and Present Kerr, Euan, "Fraser remembered as 'quiet giant' of Minnesota politics". Minnesota Public Radio News, June 3, 2019. |- |- |- 1924 births 2019 deaths Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota Lawyers from Minneapolis Mayors of Minneapolis Military personnel from Minneapolis Democratic Party Minnesota state senators People from Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Politicians from Minneapolis United States Navy officers University of Minnesota Law School alumni American people of Canadian descent 20th-century American lawyers United States Navy personnel of World War II