I am a resident of Minnesota. This past weekend Democrat Farmer Labor (DFL) Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette miraculously survived an assassination attempt. During the attack Yvette threw herself over their daughter who has Spina Bifida to protect her. After the attack, Hope called 911. Later that night, House Speaker Emeriti Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were assassinated by the same person. The police arrived on the scene as the assassin was firing into the home. While it was too late for them to save Melissa and Mark, their encounter with the suspect interrupted the assassin's plans. Hope's 911 call in the midst of horrific circumstances saved the many other lives. The assassin had a list of 43 names he planned to kill. Forty three hours later the assassin was arrested.
About 9 years ago, Minnesota's legislature was considering an Autism Registry very similar to the one originally proposed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The individuals who were shot and others on the list of 43 names were among those who advocated against the registry. The devastating loss of Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark are being felt by many intersectional communities in Minnesota. However, the tragedy could have been a lot worse if Hope Hoffman had not acted when she did.
Disabled individuals who perform heroic acts all too often go unrecognized. In the face of what must have been a horrible moment, Hope Hoffman took action that prevented others from being wounded or killed. Hope Hoffman is a hero for disabled individuals including but not limited to Autistic individuals.
Hope Hoffman, on behalf of all of us, thank you for your heroic actions. Thank you for showing that people with disabilities are courageous in the face of horrific acts of violence. Thank you for your witness. Thank you for being strong. Thank you.
We continue to keep John, Yvette, and Hope in our thoughts and prayers. We also pray for the repose of the souls of Melissa and Mark Hortman.
