[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1054 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1054
Honoring the lives of Minnesota State House Speaker Emerita Melissa
Hortman and Mark Hortman.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 10, 2026
Ms. Morrison submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Honoring the lives of Minnesota State House Speaker Emerita Melissa
Hortman and Mark Hortman.
Whereas Melissa Hortman served her community and the State of Minnesota with
humility, compassion, and perseverance;
Whereas Mark Hortman was outgoing, caring, and genuine, a skilled professional,
and deeply devoted to his family;
Whereas, when a politically motivated gunman took the life of Melissa Hortman,
Minnesota lost a tireless public servant, whose accomplishments
distinguish her as one of the most consequential Speakers in the history
of the Minnesota House of Representatives;
Whereas Hortman was a mother of 2 children, Colin and Sophie, and wife to
husband Mark Hortman, who was killed alongside her;
Whereas Melissa Hortman was a lifelong Minnesotan, who was born and raised and
lived most of her life in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis;
Whereas Mark Hortman was born and raised in North Carolina, graduated from the
University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill, and lived in Minnesota for
over 30 years;
Whereas Melissa and Mark Hortman met while applying to be mentors in the Big
Brothers Big Sisters of America program and were brought together
through their shared devotion to serving others;
Whereas Melissa Hortman was a lifelong learner who graduated from Blaine High
School, Boston University, and the University of Minnesota Law School
and then returned to school later in life to receive a Master in Public
Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School;
Whereas Hortman was a devoted public servant who spent her life helping others,
teaching Sunday school, serving as a Girl Scout leader, and training
service dogs for veterans;
Whereas one of Hortman's greatest loves was her family's golden retriever,
Gilbert, who was adopted by the Hortmans after being deemed too friendly
to be a service dog;
Whereas Hortman began her career in public service as a lawyer suing
discriminatory landlords and reached a record-setting verdict in a
housing discrimination lawsuit;
Whereas Hortman demonstrated strength of character and perseverance in her
determination to serve her community when she was victorious in her
third run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004;
Whereas Hortman went on to win re-election 10 consecutive times from 2006 to
2024 and was elected by her colleagues as Minority Leader in 2017 and
Speaker of the House in 2019;
Whereas Hortman was the longest-serving female Speaker in Minnesota state
history;
Whereas Hortman was passionate about preventing gun violence, protecting
reproductive health care, and leaving behind a better world for future
generations by addressing climate change through investments in
renewable energy;
Whereas Hortman was proud to author Minnesota's solar standard and community
solar law;
Whereas Hortman led with humor and a calm and steady demeanor, emphasizing the
importance of conversation and listening to one another and rejecting
the idea that our political differences should prevent us from working
together;
Whereas Hortman respected and looked out for all members of her caucus,
recognizing their duty to serve each of their unique constituencies,
while also holding them together to deliver for all Minnesotans during
one of the most productive legislative sessions in Minnesota's history;
Whereas Hortman will be remembered for the crucial role she played in enacting
legislation that allows Minnesotans to take time to care for their loved
ones, ensures no student goes hungry, guarantees every woman has the
right to bodily autonomy, and upholds our democracy by protecting free
and fair elections;
Whereas Hortman led with humility and was quick to deflect recognition, allowing
others to take the spotlight;
Whereas Hortman recognized that true leaders do not bully and coerce; they
listen and sacrifice, compromise while remaining true to their
convictions, and inspire others to share in their vision of a better
future; and
Whereas this is a moment of mourning a giant among Minnesota lawmakers: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the life of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman for
her devotion and service to the people of Minnesota;
(2) honors the life of Mark Hortman for his devotion to his
family and service to his community;
(3) honors the life of Gilbert Hortman for his devotion to
Melissa, treats, and lying in the snow;
(4) honors the leadership of Speaker Emerita Melissa
Hortman, who led with kindness and compassion, passion and
pragmatism, and conviction and respect; and
(5) honors the legacy of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman
for her exemplary record in working through political
differences through civil discourse and a shared desire to make
Minnesota and our country a better place for the next
generation.
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