Dear Neighbors,
We continue to grieve the loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and their beloved golden retriever, Gilbert, whose lives were taken on June 14 in a senseless act of political violence. Speaker Hortman leaves behind a legacy as a steady, principled leader with a deep commitment to building a better Minnesota for all. Melissa worked tirelessly to deliver results that improve people’s lives, but she never sought the spotlight or wanted credit. Instead, she lifted up the voices of her colleagues and empowered others to lead. Above all, no matter how difficult things were at the Capitol, her devotion to her family was always crystal clear.
This Friday, June 27, between noon and 5 p.m., Melissa and Mark Hortman, along with Gilbert, will lie in state. Members of the public are invited to come to the State Capitol Rotunda to pay their respects during that time. Melissa will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state in the Capitol.
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.
As we remember and honor Mark and Melissa, our thoughts are also with John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman. They, too, were targeted in a violent attack that same morning, and we continue to hope for their full recovery.
The best way we can carry Melissa’s legacy forward is by leading with empathy, extending care to one another, and holding fast to our shared love for Minnesota and its people.
In community,
Lucy