[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 107 (Monday, June 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2879-H2880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF MARK AND MELISSA HORTMAN

  (Ms. MORRISON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  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.

[[Page H2880]]

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.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague from Minnesota (Mr. Emmer).
  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of all Minnesotans to 
honor the lives and legacies of former Minnesota Speaker of the House 
Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were viciously murdered in 
their home on June 14.
  We also continue to pray for Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and 
his wife, Yvette, as they recover from this heinous attack, as well.
  There is no place in our country for politically motivated violence. 
None. The fact that the Hortman and Hoffman families are being forced 
to endure the consequences of inexplicable evil is heartbreaking, 
devastating, and infuriating for us all, but it is through tragedies 
like this that we are reminded that we are stronger together. There is 
more that unites us than divides us, and when we turn to our faith in 
God, we can maintain hope in the midst of absolute turmoil.
  We are grateful to local, State, and Federal law enforcement for 
their swift action in apprehending this evil coward who attacked these 
dedicated public servants and we look forward to justice being served.
  Ms. MORRISON. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of us to join in a moment of 
silence in honor of Melissa and Mark Hortman.

                          ____________________