A former state senator representing the University of Minnesota area now has a day of his own. The City Council on Friday proclaimed Feb. 7, 2014 to be “Don Fraser Day” in honor of the former mayor and congressman’s birthday.

Council members also introduced new ordinance topics and honored the death of a community member. Fraser served as a state senator in the 1950s before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1962. He became mayor of Minneapolis in 1979 and was the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history.

“I found the job of being mayor one of the most interesting jobs I’ve ever had,” Fraser said in a short acceptance speech that was received by a standing ovation from council members and attendees. “I appreciate this very much.”

Ward 2 Councilman Cam Gordon introduced two ordinances that he is drafting. He will seek to increase the ability for businesses that sell alcohol to expand their premises and require property owners to inform tenants whether their land has been tested for environmental contaminants like TCE.

At the request of Ward 10 Councilwoman Lisa Bender, the council also took a moment of silence for 26-year-old Marcus Nalls, who Bender said was killed while riding his bike on Franklin Avenue late Monday.

Community members will gather at Loring Park on Friday afternoon to honor Nalls, Bender said.