Dear Neighbors, Like so many of you, I’m still struggling to find the words. The violence that took our friends Melissa and Mark Hortman from us and targeted John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman still feels unreal. My heart is with the Hortmans and Hoffmans. Even if you ever met Melissa or Mark, I can say with certainty, you’ve felt the impact of the Minnesota they helped shape. The road ahead will be long. But right now, I believe it’s important to center our grief, to remember who Melissa and Mark were, what they meant to us, and the values they lived and led with. There will be a candlelight vigil tonight to honor the memory of Melissa and Mark, as well as to hold John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman in our thoughts as they continue to recover and heal. Attendees are asked to bring their own candles. However, please do not bring signs of any kind. The vigil will be held from 8-9:30 pm on the State Capitol Steps. I’m incredibly grateful for the calls, texts, and emails. Thank you to the Woodbury Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their swift and courageous response. It’s an honor to represent our caring, tight-knit community. In moments like this, I’m reminded how deeply we need each other, how important it is to look out for one another, tone down the divisive rhetoric, and lead with the empathy and unity that Melissa and Mark embodied. There will be much more to say in time. For now, I want to leave you with the words of their children, Sophie and Colin: “If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following: - 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.
“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”  Keep in TouchYour voice is important to me! You can contact me at rep.amanda.hemmingsen-jaeger@house.mn.gov, by phone at 651-296-7807, or follow along my Facebook page, Instagram, or BlueSky with your questions, concerns, or ideas for this session. I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature and look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger State Representative |