Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Ken Axelson; a World War II veteran and cherished member of the Wanamingo community, who passed away on April 11th, just a week after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Ken graduated from Red Wing High School in 1943, and afterwards--like many in the Greatest Generation--he answered the call to serve his country.

As a combat medic for the U.S. Army, Ken landed on Omaha Beach on D- Day, and was later transferred to the 101st Airborne Division. During the Siege of Bastogne, he and his unit were held captive by German forces for five months before they were liberated by U.S. troops.

When he returned home from the war, Ken married his wife, Billie, and raised their six children in Wanamingo, where Ken was active in the community, working as a carpenter, building inspector, and photographer.

When he wasn't doing what he loved--spending time outdoors--Ken was giving back to those around him. He served on the Wanamingo City Council, while also giving his time to the volunteer fire department and the Wanamingo VFW.

Ken was a true embodiment of who we are in southern Minnesota. He served his country, put his family first, and was never too busy to lend a hand to a fellow neighbor.

He leaves behind a legacy that will long be remembered. May he rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Police Officer Matthew Ruge, a southern Minnesota hero who was one of three first responders shot and killed in the line of duty on February 18.

Officer Ruge's life was tragically taken at the young age of 27 while responding to a domestic violence call in Burnsville, Minnesota.

Matthew grew up in Read's Landing, a small, tight-knit community just outside Wabasha. From an early age, Matthew knew he wanted to help and protect people. He attended Wabasha-Kellogg High School and was awarded a scholarship for students entering a law enforcement career.

Afterward, he completed a police training program at Mankato State University with high honors and, 2 years later, joined the Burnsville Police Department, where he earned the Life Saving Medal and served on the crisis negotiation team.

While he didn't like being the center of attention, he had an unwavering commitment to serving others. Officer Matthew Ruge was the very best of law enforcement, always there to help a person on their worst day.

My prayers are with his parents, Sean and Christi; his sister, Hannah; and the many friends and family that Matthew touched throughout his life.

Officer Ruge was among the best and bravest of southern Minnesota. We will never forget his service and sacrifice. May he rest in peace.

Honoring Firefighter-Paramedic Adam Finseth

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a southern Minnesota hero, firefighter, and paramedic, Adam Finseth, who was tragically killed in the line of duty, along with Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, while responding to the scene of a domestic violence call on February 18.

Adam was born in Faribault, Minnesota, before moving to Rochester, where he graduated from John Marshall High School in 2001.

Early on, it was obvious that Adam had been called to a life of service. After graduation, he took a summer job as a Rochester lifeguard before enlisting in the U.S. Army shortly after 9/11.

Adam served two tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom and would go on to spend nearly a decade serving as a first responder for fire departments in La Crosse, Hastings, Savage, and Burnsville.

His firefighter family describes Adam as selfless, with a first-one- in, last-one-out mentality, embodying the true spirit of a firefighter, and a friend that everyone could count on.

My prayers are with his wife, Tara; their two children, Liam and Nora; as well as Adam's parents, sister, and all the communities he made better with his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Stewartville High School Tigers on winning this year's Minnesota Class 3A high school football championship.

Stewartville capped off an undefeated season with their 43-13 victory over Annandale in the State championship game on November 25 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

While this marks the third time the Tigers have made it to the State finals, this year's win earned them the first-ever championship title in Stewartville's history.

The Tigers finished their 2023 season with a perfect 14-0 record, and all of us across the First Congressional District are incredibly proud to call them our own.

Congratulations to Coach Mueller, his team, and the entire Stewartville community on this well-deserved title.

Way to go, Tigers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember U.S. Army Sergeant Cade Wolfe of Mankato, Minnesota, who was tragically lost in a helicopter crash in the eastern Mediterranean Sea during a routine air refueling mission last Friday.

Cade knew early on that he wanted to serve his country. He was raised in a proud, patriotic family with a mom and dad who served in the Army and a brother who would also go on to serve. For Cade, serving in uniform wasn't just a calling. It was a family tradition.

After he graduated from Mankato East High School, Cade enlisted in the Army as a helicopter repairman before going on to serve in Army Special Operations Forces, providing helicopter support.

Cade died doing what he loved, serving the country that he loved with fellow soldiers that he loved. He was truly one of southern Minnesota's bravest heroes.

Last Friday's accident is a sobering reminder to all of us that our servicemen and -women put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.

While Cade's remains have yet to be recovered, I am continuing to pray for his wife, Danielle, his parents, his brother, and all those across Minnesota's First District who knew and loved Sergeant Wolfe.

Mr. Speaker, his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer Keith Mortensen, who is retiring on July 31st after 30 years serving as an officer with Mankato Public Safety.

A proud son of southern Minnesota, Officer Mortensen earned his degree in law enforcement from Mankato State University and went on to serve in the Mankato Department of Public Safety, first as road patrol and eventually as a school liaison officer.

Last year, Officer Mortensen was awarded the Minnesota Juvenile Officer of the Year award for his work as a school resource officer, specifically for his work fostering relationships with area youth.

He created ``Cops and Bobbers,'' a summer program that connects local kids with law enforcement officers through the fun of fishing. Because of the leadership and dedication of Officer Mortensen, the program has now helped more than 400 young adults and will serve future generations of students for years to come.

I want to thank Officer Mortensen for his years of service and the example he has set for all of us in southern Minnesota. I congratulate him on his retirement, and I wish him the best of luck in this next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, due to unforseen personal obligations related to a house fire at my personal residence, I was unable to attend votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 249, YEA on Roll Call No. 250; YEA on Roll Call No. 251; YEA on Roll Call No. 252; YEA on Roll Call No. 253; YEA on Roll Call No. 254; YEA on Roll Call No. 255; and YEA on Roll Call No. 256.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Blair Nelson, a friend and dedicated public servant who unexpectedly passed away on May 30.

Those of us who knew Blair knew him for his devotion to his family and his selfless commitment to serving others.

In 2010, Blair was elected to the Waseca County Board of Commissioners, where he found his true calling in public service. During his nearly 13 years as county commissioner, Blair paved the way for many projects, but he was especially proud to bring the Waseca County Veterans Memorial to completion.

Blair served on the executive board of directors for the Association of Minnesota Counties. Just 3 months ago, I was fortunate enough to give Blair and his colleagues a tour of our U.S. Capitol, something I will always remember when I think of him.

Blair's big personality, sense of humor, and positive spirit made him a friend to many across southern Minnesota. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, coach, mentor, and friend. He will truly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2023 NCAA DIII Women's Hockey Champions: the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties from St. Peter, Minnesota.

Last week, the team won their first-ever national title in Amherst, Massachusetts in a triple-overtime match. The Gusties claimed the win with a 2-1 final score.

The championship game lasted more than 101 minutes, setting a record for the longest title game in NCAA DIII history. The Gusties' win marks the first NCAA title for a women's hockey team in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the first for any team in the West region.

The team has been nothing but impressive all season, winning every major title and breaking a program record for wins in a season with a record of 27-3-0.

The national title is the first for Gusties Head Coach Mike Carroll, who currently ranks as Minnesota's second-winningest college hockey coach, with 492 total career wins.

It is my honor to recognize this year's NCAA DIII Women's Hockey Champions today. Thanks to the tireless leadership and encouragement from Coach Carroll, the team's staff, families, classmates, and community--these talented young women earned a state championship title and all of us across the First Congressional District are incredibly proud to call them our own.

Congratulations to Coach Carroll and his team on an unbelievable season.

Madam Speaker, blizzard conditions caused airport cancellations in my home state of Minnesota on November 29, 2022.

Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 486 (S. 4003); YEA on Roll Call No. 487 (S. 3846); and NAY on Roll Call No. 488 (H.R. 5455).