U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Honors Melissa Hortman on House Floor
Rep. Morrison introduces resolution honoring the life and service of Melissa Hortman as the Minnesota House convenes without her presence for the first time in more than two decades
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) honored the life and service of Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, who were assassinated in a horrific act of political violence last year.
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Minnesota House of Representatives will convene without Melissa for the first time in more than two decades.
Representative Morrison and Speaker Hortman were friends and colleagues for many years in the Minnesota Legislature. Rep. Morrison introduced a resolution to honor her mentor ahead of the Minnesota Legislature’s convening Tuesday. You can read the full resolution here.
Watch Representative Morrison’s floor speech HERE.
Read a transcript of Representative Morrison’s remarks below:
Mr. Speaker,
Today I rise to honor the life and service of Minnesota State House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark Hortman, who we lost to an unspeakable act of political violence last year.
The Minnesota House of Representatives will convene next week for the first time in more than twenty years without Melissa’s presence.
She was the single longest female Speaker in Minnesota state history.
She always led with a calm and steady demeanor, emphasizing conversation and listening to one another.
She rejected the idea that our political differences should prevent us from working together, and always encouraged us to focus on our shared desire to make our state and our country a better place for the next generation.
Melissa was a giant among Minnesota lawmakers – and modeled leadership qualities that we all should emulate.
She recognized that true leaders do not bully and coerce; they listen and sacrifice, they compromise while remaining true to their convictions, and they lead with humility above all else.
I think of her mentorship and her example every day, and call on my colleagues to honor her legacy by prioritizing civility and humility in our service, and always striving to make our communities just a little bit better for someone else.
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