His childhood dream of owning a newspaper suddenly changed when he later discovered the opportunity and excitement of public policymaking in legislative sessions at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
A former journalist and experienced editor, Burdick authored a booklet entitled A Few of My Favorite Anecdotes, a collection of short stories based on his public service and newspaper career.
[5] During the 1941 legislative session, Burdick was employed as a page by the Minnesota House of Representatives in St. Paul and that experience led to a full-time public service career.
[4] Other praise for Burdick came from both Republican and Democratic leaders, including former Governor Tim Pawlenty, House Speakers Steve Sviggum, Rod Searle, David Jennings, Dee Long, Robert Vanasek, Phil Carruthers, Martin Sabo, and Irv Anderson as well as former Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson and Honorable Kathleen Blatz, chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Governor Tim Pawlenty proclaimed January 10, 2005 as "Edward A. Burdick Day" in Minnesota and President George W. Bush wrote on March 14, 2005, that "our Nation is deeply indebted" for his military and public service.
In October, 2012 the annual Edward Burdick Legislative Award was established at the Hubert Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.