U.S. senators from Minnesota reflect on slain state legislator in Senate floor remarks

From left, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, both Minnesota Democrats. (Courtesy photos.)

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith honored Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, during remarks on the Senate floor.

The Minnesota Democratic senators on Tuesday reflected on Melissa’s leadership, devotion to her community and many contributions to her state.

The Hortmans were killed over the weekend in what has been called a political assassination. Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot and are on a path to recovery.

Authorities have arrested Vance Boelter, who is accused of killing the Hortmans and shooting and injuring the Hoffmans. He faces both federal and state charges.

“Melissa is someone that I wish the whole Senate and the whole nation knew,” Klobuchar said. “We treasured her in Minnesota. She was the epitome of what you want in a public servant. She went into it for all the right reasons.”

Klobuchar said Melissa “knew no limits in terms of trying to get people together, trying to get things done.” She described both Melissa and Mark as “great neighbors, wonderful friends and great parents for their beloved children, Sophie and Colin.”

The senior senator recited a bit of Hortman’s lengthy list of legislative accomplishments: “When a Minnesota student gets a free school lunch, that’s Melissa. When a Minnesota parent is able to take paid leave to spend those early, precious moments with a newborn, that’s Melissa. When a Minnesota voter casts a ballot without facing unfair discrimination, that’s Melissa.”

Smith, who confronted her Republican colleague U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah on Monday over some tawdry tweets he posted after the killings, said Melissa Hortman was funny, straightforward, kind, smart, driven and determined.

“She did well because she worked hard at everything that she did, from her first job making burritos, to her last job leading her caucus through a deeply divided legislative session.”