Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Scott Lund, the former Mayor of Fridley. He recently retired after nearly five decades of dedicated service to his community. Throughout his tenure, Mayor Lund has been a devoted leader, guiding the city to become a safe, vibrant, and welcoming place to live. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing numerous projects that have contributed to the city's growth and development.

Mayor Lund moved to Fridley in 1979 and became involved in the community out of a commitment to giving back to others. He married his wife, Cindy, in 1976, and they have three children and four grandchildren. Mayor Lund has owned his own manufactured home sales and service business for 48 years. Elected to office in 2000, and continuously re-elected by the residents of Fridley, he has worked tirelessly as an advocate for residents.

Those who worked closely with Mayor Lund admired his commitment to public service and his unwavering dedication to all of his fellow neighbors in Fridley. He has always been active in the community, engaging with residents, listening to their concerns, and advocating for their needs. Mayor Lund's hands-on approach to leadership has truly set him apart as a public servant.

Under his leadership, Fridley has experienced transformative change. One of Mayor Lund's most significant contributions was his emphasis on environmental stewardship. He championed the redevelopment of the Northern Stacks industrial campus, a project that revitalized a vital city at area, cleaned up soil contamination, and reduced pollution. Additionally, Mayor Lund spearheaded a $30 million initiative to improve the city's park system, ensuring Fridley remains a beautiful and livable community for generations.

Mayor Scott Lund embodies excellence, integrity, and leadership. His long and impactful

career is a testament to the difference that dedicated public service can make. It is an honor to thank him for his remarkable service and to celebrate his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate three downtown Minneapolis restaurants on their achievement of being named semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Award. Minneapolis has one of the best food scenes in the country, and that is exemplified by these recognitions from the James Beard Foundation.

Spoon and Stable is nominated for outstanding restaurant. They have a been a hallmark of the North Loop for over a decade, extending a fusion of French and local cultures through cuisine.

Vinai and Bucheron, both established in 2024, are nominated for the best new restaurant. Vinai features Hmong culture, stories, and ritual through food. Bucheron presents French-American fusion, while pulling inspiration from rural Minnesotan culture.

All of these restaurants are doing incredible work expanding Minneapolis' culture and food scene, and we are very proud of the work they have done to achieve this honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of John Croman, an extraordinary journalist and member of our community. Mr. Croman recently retired from his role as Chief Political Reporter for KARE 11 after nearly 30 years of dedicated service bringing reliable, informative, and timely political news to Minnesotans.

Mr. Croman attended the University of Kansas before moving to Minnesota to begin his career in reporting. He started at KARE 11 in 1997 as an investigative reporter and gravitated towards political reporting, where he would thrive for the rest of his career. He captivated audiences with his impeccable journalistic skills and his knack for making politics relatable. In his decades at KARE he covered major historical events, including the tragic loss of our late Senator Paul Wellstone, the 8-month recount of Minnesota's 2008 Senate election, and the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

Those who worked closely with Mr. Croman admired his wealth of knowledge about Minnesota politics and history--they referred to him as ``the contact, and the context,'' for every story. He was praised for his commitment to reporting on substantive policy rather than the fleeting trends of the moment, and his tireless dedication to the truth in his journalism.

Mr. Croman brought a unique flair to his work, often breaking into song and creating jingles for every occasion. He seized every opportunity to inject joy into his work and to share it with those around him, whether during marathon end-of-legislative-session nights, elections, or simply checking his microphone. He was also known for his dedication to his craft, often acting as his own cameraman and editor when working late or on days off, which he frequently did.

Chief Political Reporter John Croman embraced excellence, integrity, and passion for his work. His long and impactful career is a testament to his ability to communicate even the most complex issues to listeners and viewers around the state. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking him for his remarkable service and celebrating his well- deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the University of Minnesota Spirit Squad on their monumental performance at the 2025 UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships this weekend in Orlando, Florida.

The Gopher cheer team made history this weekend, securing the program's first-ever national title, winning the small, co-ed game day division. The Gophers also finished runner-up in small, co-ed cheer.

The University of Minnesota dance team earned their third straight national title in the Pom division on Sunday night, securing the dance program's 23rd title. The team also finished second in the jazz division.

These are tremendous achievements all around from the University of Minnesota Spirit Squad. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of our Gopher athletes for the hard work they have put in to bring home these national championships.

Go Gophers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Representative Hodan Hassan, who served District 62B in Minnesota's House of Representatives for three terms. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Rep. Hassan for her dedication to making positive change in our communities.

Rep. Hassan emigrated to the United States from Somalia in 1999. After earning her bachelor's degree in social work from Metropolitan State, she earned a Master of Social Work and Public Health from Augsburg University. She went on to be a mental health practitioner and Executive Director of Pathways 2 Prosperity where she led programming to empower communities through education and support, and to address systemic gaps in behavioral health.

In 2018, Rep. Hassan made history by becoming the second Somali- American woman elected to the Minnesota legislature. While in office, she was Assistant Majority Leader during the 91st legislative session, chaired the Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee and was a member of the Housing Finance and Policy, Ways and Means, and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committees, among others.

Throughout Rep. Hassan's tenure, she championed many initiatives that significantly impacted the lives of her constituents. To name a few: Rep. Hassan co-authored the Rideshare bill to ensure fair wages, safe working environments, and workplace protections for drivers against discrimination and retaliation. Rep. Hassan also strengthened the Increase Teachers of Color Act to grow and maintain more diversity in Minnesota's teaching workforce, help to close the education gap, and enrich the education experience for all children. She also championed the MN PROMISE Act, a state-funded small business revitalization program that provides essential support through grants and loans to disadvantaged businesses.

I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Rep. Hassan for her years of dedicated public service. From the beginning, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to justice that has made a profound difference on her constituents in District 62B and our community at large. Her leadership will continue to inspire us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hennepin County's remarkable achievement of reaching functional zero status in ending veteran homelessness. This designation comes from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. This milestone is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our community, local governments, and multiple organizations that worked rigorously to ensure that every veteran has a place to call home.

While reaching functional zero does not mean the work is done, it formally recognizes that veterans experiencing homelessness in Hennepin County will be quickly identified, sheltered, and transitioned to permanent housing. Hennepin County's robust homeless response system serves as an example to many counties across the U.S. to provide the same adequate support to our veterans.

Please join me in honoring Hennepin County for this outstanding achievement and expressing our deepest gratitude to all of those who have contributed to this incredible milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic.

Senator Dziedzic was an incredible public servant who transformed the lives of so many. During her historic tenure, Senator Dziedzic led the Minnesota Legislature in passing significant investments in our State's public education system, transportation infrastructure, affordable housing, and green economy.

Her efforts resulted in Minnesota passing universal school meals, protecting bodily autonomy, and ensuring paid family and medical leave for Minnesota's workers.

It was an honor to serve alongside her when I was first elected to the Minnesota Legislature and to continue to hold her leadership as an inspiration as I serve the communities of Minnesota's Fifth District.

Her legacy of dedication to inclusive, productive lawmaking and her steadfast commitment to her constituents will be remembered for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent and friend Dr. Rachel Hardeman for her extraordinary antiracist scholarship.

Dr. Hardeman is the founding director of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity (CARHE), and the Blue Cross Endowed Professor of Health and Racial Equity in the Division of Health Policy & Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Her tremendous work at the Center led to her being named one of TIME's 100 most influential people in the world this year.

Led by Dr. Hardeman, the team of researchers at CARHE has garnered national and international attention for their research on structural racism in healthcare. TIME specifically recognized Dr. Hardeman's work to address America's maternal health crisis, which has focused on disparate birthing outcomes across race and how police brutality can impact pregnancy and childbirth. Dr. Hardeman is committed to lending her expertise to shape policy that will positively impact our communities for generations to come, including Minnesota's groundbreaking Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act and the federal Momnibus Bill.

Dr. Hardeman has always placed community at the forefront of her work, and consistently partners with stakeholders to better inform her research. A prime example is her long-standing partnership with the Black-owned Roots Community Birthing Center in North Minneapolis which has been instrumental in her research to demonstrate a culturally- centered approach to birth equity that can help address the maternal health crisis we are facing.

This honor from TIME is indicative of Dr. Hardeman's dedication to working closely with community to produce results that are relevant not just locally, but around the country and the world. We are very fortunate to have such a brilliant, diligent, and thoughtful leader in Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District whose work has, and undoubtedly will continue to, lead to better health outcomes in Minnesota and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Hardeman for this recognition and share our gratitude for her invaluable contributions to the fields of health and racial equity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a legend and a force in Minnesota government--Representative Frank Hornstein. After an impressive 22-year tenure in the Minnesota House, Representative Hornstein is wrapping up his service in the Legislature. I ask you all to join me in recognizing the contributions of this accomplished legislator, devoted organizer, and dear friend.

Representative Hornstein first came to Minnesota to attend Macalester College, majoring in environmental studies. After graduate school, he worked as a community organizer and advocate for environmental issues. He was then appointed to the Metropolitan Council, beginning what would be a long and impressive tenure driving forward an equitable transportation system, environmental justice, and human rights in the Twin Cities and across the state.

Throughout his time in the Minnesota Legislature, Representative Hornstein has been a force for progressive transportation and transit policy. He moved forward major investments in light rail, bus rapid transit, and commuter

rail, expanding our transit network to serve thousands of new riders. He advanced legislation to limit speed limits in residential areas, reduce distracted driving, and expand the use of electric buses and vehicles. He also secured major investments in bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Our transportation system is ultimately a reflection of our values and Representative Hornstein has devoted his career to making a transportation system that has a place for all Minnesotans, regardless of their income, zip code, or immigration status. His leadership and movement-building culminated in a ``transformative transportation bill that was 20 years in the making,'' as he wrote about his departure from the Minnesota House.

Beyond his work on transportation and transit, Representative Hornstein has been a leader on broader environmental justice initiatives--advancing work to reduce food waste and its corresponding climate impacts, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions across the economy, and moving toward a zero-waste society. He has also been a steadfast advocate for human rights for all, leading work to address hate crimes and requiring Holocaust curriculum in all public K-12 schools.

Wherever Representative Hornstein's future leads him, I know that he will be making the world a better place for every single one of us. His tenure in the House will be remembered for years to come, and I am proud that future generations of Minnesotans will grow up with the benefits of his hard work. Please help me congratulate Representative Frank Hornstein on his retirement from the Minnesota House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the remarkable career and significant contributions of Mayor Jim Adams, who will be retiring as Crystal's Mayor after an extraordinary 25 years of service to the City of Crystal. I wish to thank Mayor Jim Adams for his enduring legacy of service and his lasting contributions to the city he serves.

Starting in 1999, Mayor Adams worked as a firefighter from the West Metro Fire-Rescue District, serving and protecting his neighbors in that role for 15 years. In 2012, he ran for Mayor and won the support of his constituents by putting the needs of all Crystal's residents first. His leadership was defined by four shared goals: having strong, safe neighborhoods, having a thriving business community, having sound financial policies, and being welcoming and inclusive.

Over the past 12 years, Mayor Adams has made great strides for the city, with a focus on good stewardship of the city's infrastructure. He has helped lead the efforts to improve key city parks, including Becker Park, Bassett Creek Park, and the Crystal Aquatics Center--enhancing recreational opportunities and quality of life for Crystal's residents. Mayor Adams helped build a new Police Department and the Public Works Facility while investing in street maintenance, implementing effective long-term planning to enhance Crystal's community assets. Throughout his tenure, Mayor Adams has prioritized an ambitious plan to make Crystal debt-free by 2033. Under his leadership, the city has made significant progress in reducing its debt while making long-term plans for maintenance and investments of city infrastructure.

Mayor Adams also played a pivotal role in keeping Crystal vibrant and affordable for residents. He collaborated directly with small businesses to help make their lives easier, helping to drive Crystal's retail vacancy rate below 5 percent. He advanced regulatory reform and zoning changes to spur new housing developments, leading to 330 more units of housing across the city.

For the past 12 years, Mayor Jim Adams has been deeply committed to improving the lives of his constituents. Residents of Crystal will benefit from his hard work for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mayor Jim Adams for his exceptional service and to wish him well on whatever his future holds.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Kathi Hemken as she concludes 16 years of service leading the City of New Hope. Throughout her time as Mayor, residents have come to know her as a devoted advocate for their well-being, a thoughtful steward of the public good, and a relentless driver of housing and economic development.

Mayor Hemken began her career with the city on the New Hope Planning Commission in 1997. After two years as Chair, she won her first term as Mayor in 2008. She wasted no time in getting to work on behalf of her constituents and fostering a culture of appreciation, respect, and excellence among the staff at City Hall.

Over the past 14 years, New Hope has undergone a remarkable resurgence of new housing and business. The city's property tax base has grown by over a billion dollars, a surge of 73 percent--an impressive amount of growth that would not have been possible without Mayor Hemken's leadership. They've added nearly 500 new apartment units, 127 single family homes, and through the Scattered Site Housing Program, 30 new or rehabilitated single-family homes. These developments include workforce housing, assisted living, deeply affordable housing, and luxury housing--a diversity that serves all residents of New Hope. The City Center underwent a transformative multi-phase redevelopment, introducing an aquatic park, a performance center, a new City Hall, an upgraded police station, and essential businesses like a Hy-Vee grocery store, resulting in over $15 million in local improvements and the creation of 400 jobs.

Always accessible, Mayor Hemken builds strong relationships with constituents and city staff, promotes open dialogue on complex issues, and fosters an environment of growth and appreciation within the community. A strong supporter of small businesses, she was even featured on ``The Colbert Show.'' When a small business highlighted on the show required assistance, she connected with the owner and provided essential resources to help them navigate the challenges that arose from their sudden fame and increased demand.

Beyond economic development, Mayor Hemken demonstrates her passion for promoting literacy by collecting and distributing books for local children and engaging with students through reading programs. She has served on countless boards and committees, including the Regional Council of Mayors, the Northwest YMCA, League of Women Voters, and more. Each winter, she personally bakes hundreds of cookies and packages them up with a personal note of appreciation to each and every city employee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our profound gratitude to New Hope Mayor Kathi Hemken for her hard work and dedication. She has led the City Council, City staff, board and commission members, and most importantly, the New Hope community through unprecedented challenges and reshaped the city. There is no question that New Hope will benefit from her thoughtful stewardship for generatIons to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the increasing threat of nuclear weapons. Last year, the United States spent $51.5 billion on nuclear weapons. Imagine if we used even a fraction of that to tackle homelessness, fund healthcare, or address the climate crisis. Instead, we're pouring billions into weapons that could wipe out entire cities in seconds.

The simple truth is, as long as nuclear weapons exist, humanity is at risk. One miscalculation, one malfunction, one act of aggression, and we're looking at a disaster that could end civilization as we know it. Keeping these weapons isn't about strength or security--it's about holding on to outdated Cold War fears.

The only sane position is the complete abolition of these weapons of mass destruction from the face of the planet. But this will only happen with bold leadership from the United States.

As tensions rise with adversaries like Russia and China, and concerns grow about nuclear proliferation in volatile regions like the Middle East, the threat of nuclear war is more urgent than it has been since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

That's why I'm grateful to my colleague, Congressman Jim McGovern, for his tireless work in drawing attention to this critical issue. He understands that we have a moral imperative to act.

It's time for the United States to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and take a real stand for disarmament. Maintaining an arsenal of world-ending weapons is not a sign of strength--it is a terrifying vulnerability.

The American people deserve leaders who will prioritize human lives over outdated Cold War posturing. We have the chance to make the world a safer place, redirect resources to pressing domestic needs, and fulfill our obligation to future generations.

The time for action has never been more pressing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mayor William A. Blonigan, who will

be retiring after an impressive 44-year tenure with the City of Robbinsdale. I wish to acknowledge his tireless efforts in the expansion of housing opportunities, his commitment to the public good, his stewardship of critical infrastructure initiatives, and his overall devotion to the city he serves.

Mayor Blonigan's service to Robbinsdale began in 1980, when he was first elected to the City Council. As his city manager wrote, ``He has not left the dais since.'' After 10 consecutive terms as a City Council member, he ran to serve as the city's Mayor, winning the support of his constituents through active communication, strong relationships, and a desire to find common ground on the issues that impact Robbinsdale residents.

Over the last 44 years, Mayor Blonigan has been a steady hand in some of the most consequential initiatives in the city's history. He helped build new facilities for the Police Department and Fire Department in 1993 to ensure residents received a high quality of service from their public safety agencies. He drove historic investment in parks throughout the city, including the redevelopment of Robbinsdale's largest park, Lakeview Terrace Park, that included a playground, ball fields, walking paths, and access to Crystal Lake. He supported a new water filtration system for Crystal Lake that resulted in over 40,000 pounds of litter and pollution being removed. Most recently, he oversaw the construction of a new water treatment plant that went online in 2023 and a new water tower that went into service earlier this year. He prioritized an aggressive approach to caring for the city's 100+ year old infrastructure while ensuring residents were not overburdened by property taxes.

Mayor Blonigan's tenure is also defined by significant expansion of housing opportunities and successful economic development initiatives. He built strong relationships with intergovernmental committees, private entities, small businesses, and developers to drive this important work. During his time as Mayor, Robbinsdale saw multiple unused schools and dilapidated buildings redeveloped into housing, as well as the construction of multiple new market-rate apartment complexes and hundreds of new single-family homes supported by the city's Economic Development Authority. He encouraged an expansion of North Memorial Hospital--one of the largest hospitals in the state--and a full-service grocery store down the street from it. He coordinated investment in Robbinsdale's historic downtown, ensuring it is vibrant for future generations.

At the heart of Mayor Blonigan's service is his unwavering commitment to the public good. In 2011, the City created a Domestic Partner Registry to recognize same-sex partnerships in advance of statewide marriage legalization in 2012. He was a supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives long before they became common practice in municipal governments. He led nearby cities in creating a process to remove racial covenants from their land and home titles to help us heal from generations of racist redlining. He joined cities across the state in declaring a climate emergency, leading to the creation of Robbinsdale's Energy Action Plan to help the city and its residents fight the climate crisis.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to honor and thank Mayor Blonigan for his service to the City of Robbinsdale. His leadership should be an example to all public servants.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Professor Gregory Kaster, a beloved educator and community member who left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

While earning his doctorate, he met his best friend and wife, our beloved Kate Wittenstein, with whom he would have celebrated 40 years of marriage this fall.

They had a shared passion for liberal arts and a lifelong dedication to making the world a better place.

In 1968, they both became professors at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Together, they helped to develop the college's history department into what it is today, and Professor Kaster would teach there for the rest of his life.

Throughout his distinguished tenure, he was known as a trusted educator, advocate, mentor, and a friend to students and faculty alike.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating his incredible life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate, recognize, and honor Dr. Willa Grant Battle. Dr. Battle has been a trailblazer in the field of theology, education, and a devout community leader. Her accomplishments have impacted communities beyond measure and will have lasting effects here in the United States and beyond.

Dr. Battle relocated to Minnesota in 1946 where she committed herself to education. After graduating from Northwestern College with a degree in Theology, she went on to the University of Minnesota and majored in American Studies and minored in Afro-American History and Music history. She proceeded to earn her Master's in American Studies and later a Doctorate in Philosophy from the Trinity Seminar.

Dr. Willa Battle was married to Walter Battle for 54 years. She and her husband founded House of Refuge, now Grace Temple Deliverance Center in South Minneapolis and Gospel

Temple in Saint Paul. Dr. Battle later founded House of Refugee Missions in Haiti, where she has been a missionary for 67 years. Through this mission, several schools and churches were built in Haiti, as well as the Good Samaritan Hospital.

Dr. Battle is a true warrior and role model for women here and in Haiti. Her efforts have inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams and aspirations no matter their background or circumstance.

Please join me in celebrating the incredible achievements of Dr. Willa Grant Battle and in wishing her a happy 100th birthday.