 Dear friends and neighbors, This week, my heart is with the families, children, teachers, and staff affected by the tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School. No words can fully express the sorrow of such a loss, and my prayers are with everyone who is hurting. To the first responders, hospital staff, and faith leaders who stepped forward with courage and care—thank you for your selfless service. As a mother, I can only imagine the fear and grief of sending your child to school and not seeing them come home. Every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and nurtured as they learn and grow. In the face of such senseless violence, we are reminded of how precious and fragile life truly is. We mourn with those who have lost loved ones, lift up the wounded and their families in prayer, and honor the bravery of the teachers, staff, and first responders who acted swiftly to protect others. As both a legislature and a community, we are committed to taking meaningful action to prevent tragedies like this from happening again. Even in the darkest moments, we must not allow acts of violence to diminish our love, hope, or sense of community. One of the strongest ways we resist despair is by standing together, supporting one another, and protecting our children. Let us hold both grief and gratitude in our hearts—grieving what has been lost, while cherishing the blessings of family, faith, and community that no act of violence can ever take away. When we return to St. Paul, let us come together with determination and hope, committed to finding real solutions and taking meaningful action so that every child, every family, and every community in Minnesota can feel safe, protected, and cared for. Sincerely, Representative Erica Schwartz Minnesota House of Representatives, District 18A  |