Angie Craig: “I rise today to honor two incredible Minnesotans and friends who were taken from us too soon: Speaker Melissa Hortman…”

“I rise today to honor two incredible Minnesotans and friends who were taken from us too soon: Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. We lost Melissa and Mark two weekends ago in an unthinkable, politically motivated attack that also threatened the lives of State Senator John Hoffman; his wife, Yvette; and their daughter, Hope. Like many Minnesotans, I have struggled to come to terms with this tragedy and to make sense of it, but I found comfort in community and in sharing stories of my friends, Melissa and Mark. Today, I will remember the Hortmans for the people that they were and the legacy that they will leave behind. Anyone who knew Melissa and Mark knew that, together, they were a force for good. Melissa was a dedicated public servant, and both she and her husband devoted their lives to improving the lives of Minnesotans. Personally, Melissa and I shared a love of golden retrievers. We often exchanged stories and photos of our beloveds. She adored her golden retriever, Gilbert, and he adored her. Professionally, I had the privilege of working with Melissa over the years and watching her excel as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. I had always admired her work and her ability to work across the aisle and make tough decisions when she needed to. She was a true leader, and she led by example.”