Dayton ushers in 1st Minn. Dem admin in 2 decades

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov.-elect Mark Dayton is issuing a call

to volunteer service as he takes office as Minnesota's first

Democrat in the role in 20 years.

Dayton handed out juice and milk Monday morning at a St. Paul

elementary school hours before he was to take his oath. Dayton says

he will use his speech to encourage people to volunteer somewhere

part of one day each month as he intends to do while governor.

Most kids at Wellstone Elementary breezed by Dayton with a

simple smile or hello. One boy prodded Dayton to get the Minnesota

Vikings a new football stadium.

The 63-year-old is Minnesota's oldest rookie governor. He'll

enter office opposite a Legislature where Republicans will control

both chambers.

Dayton survived a close election and recount to win the job.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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