Former President Biden and Vice President Harris attended the Saturday funeral of slain Minnesota lawmaker, state Rep. Melissa Hortman, in Minneapolis.
A person impersonating a police officer shot and killed Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever in an assault officers describes as “politically motivated.” State Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his spouse Yvetter have been additionally shot of their properties. The suspected shooter, Vance Boelter, is in custody.
Biden and Harris have been joined by over a thousand mourners who gathered to have a good time the lifetime of Hortman and her husband on Saturday. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), his spouse Gwen, former Gov. Mark Dayton (D), Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D) and Legal professional Common Keith Ellison (D) additionally attended the funeral.
“Melissa Hortman can be remembered as probably the most consequential speaker in Minnesota historical past. I get to recollect her as an in depth good friend, a mentor, and probably the most gifted legislator I’ve ever identified,” Gov. Tim Walz stated in his eulogy, in keeping with the Associated Press.
“For seven years, I’ve had the privilege of signing her agenda into regulation. I do know hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans get to dwell their lives higher as a result of she and Mark selected public service and politics.”
Hortman was remembered for her tenure as Speaker within the state legislature in addition to her in depth legislative agenda, which included free public college lunch.
Walz honored her as the primary lady to lie within the Minnesota Capitol rotunda in St. Paul on Friday for public viewing. Biden additionally paid his respects on the state Capitol on Friday.
Throughout his eulogy, Walz lauded the lawmaker as an in depth good friend and public servant.
“Possibly it’s this second the place every of us can study the best way we work collectively, the best way we discuss one another, the best way we struggle for issues we care about,” Walz stated, per AP.
“A second when every of us can recommit to partaking in politics and life the best way Mark and Melissa did — fiercely, enthusiastically, heartily, however with out ever shedding sight of our widespread humanity.”