[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 111 (Friday, June 27, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONDEMNING THE ATTACKS ON MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS IN BROOKLYN PARK AND 
    CHAMPLIN, MINNESOTA, AND CALLING FOR UNITY AND THE REJECTION OF 
      POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN MINNESOTA AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 27, 2025

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, Minnesota and our Nation suffered an 
unthinkable tragedy in the early hours of January 14th, when our 
state's elected officials were attacked in politically-motivated 
shootings.
  Minnesotans are devastated by the assassinations of Speaker Emerita 
Melissa Hoffman and her husband Mark and the attempted murder of 
Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. These are shocking and 
heinous acts of targeted political violence against elected officials. 
They were clearly intended to instill fear in our communities.
  The additional attempt that night to target Senator Ann Rest and 
Representative Kristin Bahner demonstrate that this tragedy could have 
been much worse without the swift actions of Minnesota law enforcement 
personnel. They deserve our deep gratitude for their coordinated 
actions to apprehend the suspect.
  Minnesotans of all political backgrounds must unite to condemn this 
and all politically motivated acts of violence. In a democracy, we do 
not respond to acts of public policy with acts of violence motivated by 
extremism.
  The entire House of Representatives--both Democrats and Republicans 
will stand united to unanimously pass a resolution condemning the 
politically motivated violence against Speaker Emerita Melissa Hoffman, 
her husband Mark, and Senator John Hoff and his wife Yvette. We will 
speak in one voice to unequivocally denounce acts of political 
violence.
  But even as Congress stands together to oppose this attack on our 
democracy, Minnesotans continue to mourn the unbearable loss of one of 
our Nation's finest public servants.
  I first Melissa Hortman in 1998 when we knocked doors together during 
her first campaign for public office. Back then, I was a member of the 
Minnesota House of Representatives and Melissa was a young, determined 
candidate running in a district that would be difficult for any 
Democrat to win--but she clearly shared our Minnesota values and 
demonstrated her ability to form a meaningful connection to her 
constituents.
  She didn't win that race, or the next one, but six years later, in 
2004 I was thrilled when she won a seat in the Minnesota House, and was 
delighted when she was elected Speaker of the House in 2019.
  Thanks to the work of Speaker Hoffman, together with Governor Walz 
and DFL legislators during the 2023 legislative session, Minnesota's 
students have free meals in school. Families have access to paid family 
leave. Women's reproductive rights are protected. All Minnesota 
individuals and families are supported and protected--with no 
exceptions.
  Melissa was the best of Minnesota. She cared about others, treated 
everyone with dignity and respect, and she knew how to listen and lead, 
As a public servant and as Speaker of the House, she left Minnesota 
better than she found it. I will miss her dearly.
  As we mourn the loss of Melissa and Mark, our hearts are with their 
children, Sophie and Colin, and their entire family.
  We wish Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette a full recovery.
  As we come together as a community to heal, may we find comfort in 
the words of Melissa and Mark's children:
  Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear.

                          ____________________