Bruce Frank Vento was an American politician and a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party from Minnesota. He began his political career serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1971 to 1976. Afterwards, Vento was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he represented Minnesota's 4th congressional district from 1977 until his death in 2000. Throughout his tenure, he was a prominent advocate for environmental protection, affordable housing, and assistance for the homeless.