ONE YEAR LATER: Remembering Melissa and Mark Hortman

U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) took to the Senate floor to remember and honor the life and legacy of Melissa and Mark Hortman nearly one year after their assassination. This past year has been hard without Melissa. But we can all take comfort and inspiration in her legacy as a model of the Minnesotan civic spirit. She dedicated her life to helping her neighbors. I am better for having known her. Minnesota is better because of her work. We would all do well to follow the advice of her children, Sophie and Colin: “If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following: Plant a tree. Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail. Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do. Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it. Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone. Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something. Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace."