Feb. 17 - OPENING DAY OF SESSION & A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth (R) takes a photo of the iris flowers on her desk before she gavels to open the 2026 legislative session. Iris flowers were placed on all the chamber desks where Rep. Melissa Hortman sat while serving in the House.

All visitors to the Capitol now have to walk through a metal detector and have their bags put through a weapons scanner before entering the building.

A joint resolution honoring Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, a rose and a packet of flower seeds are placed on the desk of Rep. Kristin Bahner that was the desk used by Rep. Melissa Hortman in 2015 -2016.

Girl Scout troops from Speaker Emerita Hortman’s and Sen Hoffman’s districts gather in the well to lead House members in the Pledge of Allegiance on the opening day of the 2026 legislative session.

Sen. John Hoffman (DFL), right, gets a hug from Gov. Tim Walz while Sen. Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL), left, gets a hug from Gov. Walz wife, Gwen, as the Senate arrives to remember the life of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Sen. John Hoffman (DFL), and his wife Yvette, who were shot several times but survived.

Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth (R) wipes an eye during the remembrance ceremony to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman.

Sen. John Hoffman reads a portion of the resolution honoring the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman who were killed in a political assassination the same day Sen. Hoffman suffered nine gun shot wounds but survived,

Gov. Tim Walz tells House and Senate members that Speaker Emerita Hortman was the “heart and soul” of the Legislature and has left her mark on the state.

Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL) says it would be wrong for the Houseand Senate to let the session go sideways. Would this be something Speaker Emerita Hortman would want us to do or should we lead with purpose and plan for Minnesota?

Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth (R( described Speaker Emerita Hortman as a fearless leader and her leadership brought people in instead of pushing people out.

House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson, who was mentored by Hortman described Speaker Emerita Hortman as “the most consequential speaker in House history”.He concluded his remarks by telling House and Senate members to place the rose on their desks and seats on the last desk used by Speaker Emerita Hortman.

House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson asks House and Senate members to rise for a moment of silence to honor the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman.

Gov. Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, place roses on the desk of the Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman at the conclusion of the ceremonies to honor Speaker Emerita Hortman and her husband, Mark.

A large bouquet along with the roses of the 201 House and Senate members and other dignitaries are piled high on the last desk used by Speaker Emerita Hortman.

A string quartet, members of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, play as lawmakers gather for a reception just off the rotunda.

Gilbert, a former service dog and the Hortman’s family pet, was also killed in the attack June 14, 2025. As part of the ceremony therapy dogs, like Kimber, were on hand for people in the L’Etoile du Nord Vault. Melissa and Mark both were trainers for North Star Therapy Animals.