In Memory of Mark and Melissa Hortman

Floor Speech

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Ms. MORRISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my colleagues from the State of Minnesota to honor the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman, who were shot and killed in an unspeakable act of political violence last week.

Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman was truly the best of us. She was exactly the kind of person you would want to run for office. She was a dedicated public servant who got up every day determined to make life better for all Minnesotans.

She was a brilliant legislator and a tough negotiator. She was often the smartest person in the room, but you wouldn't know it because she was so humble. She was a generous friend, a good neighbor, and a mentor to me and to so many others. She saw the dignity in all people and treated everyone with respect. She led with humility, humor, and compassion.

Her Catholic faith informed her work and she kept the beautiful prayer of St. Francis of Assisi tucked in her wallet as a guiding principle: Make me a channel of your peace.

Melissa led us through some of the State's most difficult challenges, often with a divided legislature, and the tributes that have poured in from her former colleagues from both sides of the aisle speak to her character and her leadership style.

She knew how to get things done and she did it with determination, respect, and pragmatism. She built bridges across the aisle and she kept her diverse caucus together to usher through some of the most consequential legislation in our State's history. Her work and legacy undoubtedly improved the lives of Minnesotans for generations to come.

Let us heed the words of Melissa and Mark's children who wrote in their beautiful tribute to their parents, ``The best way to honor our parents' memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little bit better for someone else.''

Let us all honor Melissa and Mark by leading with kindness and compassion, by prioritizing civility and humility in our service, and by always striving to make our communities just a little bit better for someone else.

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Ms. MORRISON. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of us to join in a moment of silence in honor of Melissa and Mark Hortman.

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