Dear Neighbors,
We continue to grieve the heartbreaking loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and their golden retriever, Gilbert, who were murdered June 14 in a senseless act of political violence. Speaker Hortman’s legacy is one of steady, visionary leadership and lasting change. She worked tirelessly to make Minnesota a better state for everyone. Her love for this Minnesota, her community, and above all, her family, ran deep.
Minnesotans who would like to pay their respects are invited to the State Capitol rotunda today, June 27 between noon and 5 p.m. when Melissa and Mark Hortman, along with Gilbert, will lie in state. Melissa will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state in the Capitol. House Public Information Services will host a livestream from the Capitol here.
On Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 a.m., a private funeral will take place. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety will livestream the services on its YouTube channel.
The hurt we’re all feeling is overwhelming. The loss is deeply personal for those who knew Melissa, Mark, and Gilbert, but as we’ve seen in tributes from around the nation and world, the impact of this loss is profound and wide-reaching. The tragedy has affected people from all walks of life who believe in public service and the power of democracy.
As they experience unthinkable grief, Melissa and Mark’s children, Sophie and Colin, have shown incredible strength. They offered these meaningful suggestions to honor the memory of their parents:
- Plant a tree.
- Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
- Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
- Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
- Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
- Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
- Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.
John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman also experienced a violent assault in their home the same morning. As we remember Mark and Melissa, we also keep the Hoffman family close in our thoughts, too, and offer wishes for a complete recovery.
Hennepin Happy Hours
The grief for the Hortmans has been a lot, as has grappling with the political violence that took place in the northern suburbs. Whether you’d like to talk through that or discuss other state and community issues on top of your mind, I am continuing our gatherings at businesses along Hennepin. Join me for an informal office hours conversation over a bite or a drink and help support our local businesses.
Kind regards,
Katie Jones
State Representative