Minnesota House approves resolution to replace Henry M. Rice statue with one honoring Hubert Humphrey

The Minnesota House on third reading passed House File 475, a memorial resolution requesting the Joint Committee of the Library of Congress (via the Architect of the Capitol) to approve replacing the state's Henry Mower Rice statue in the U.S. Capitol with one honoring former Vice President Hubert Humphrey. The roll call showed 85 ayes and 44 nays; the clerk reported the bill's title was agreed to and the bill passed.

Representative Kelly Long, the bill's author, told colleagues that each state may send two statues to the U.S. Capitol and that Minnesota's current pair consists of Maria Sanford (installed 1958) and Henry Mower Rice (installed 1916). Long argued Minnesota's national representation should reflect more recent figures and said Humphrey "embodied" the state's bipartisan tradition. "There are 20 [statues] that are packed and tight," Long said, adding that a former vice president would be placed "in a prominent location" rather than a back corner.

Supporters framed the change as updating Minnesota's national image. Representative Aisha Coulter praised Humphrey's public service and bipartisanship, reading from his memoir and saying, "I have enjoyed my life, its disappointments outweighed by its pleasures." Representative Tim Allen cited Humphrey's role in advancing civil rights and urged a green vote so the Rice statue could be returned to Rice County and displayed locally.

Opponents said the change risked diminishing Minnesota's visibility in the Capitol. Representative Mike Olsen, who said he holds a master's degree in history, argued visitors more readily recognize the state than individual figures and warned that notifying the federal committee could allow the Architect of the Capitol to relocate Minnesota's representation within the Capitol. "Let's not relegate Minnesota's statue to the water closet," Olsen said, urging rejection of the resolution. Representative Sarah Franson described the timing as poor given unfinished state budget and policy work and urged members to focus on those priorities instead.

Representative Long told members that funding for moving the Rice statue back to Rice County would be addressed in a later bill, potentially in the State Government appropriations bill. The resolution itself asks the federal committee to permit replacement; final placement in the Capitol and funding to move the Rice statue would be handled separately.

There being no further debate, the clerk called the roll for members participating remotely and closed the roll with a tally of 85 ayes and 44 nays. The resolution passed and its title was agreed to. Next steps described by sponsors include notifying the Architect of the Capitol and pursuing a later state appropriation to return the Rice statue to Rice County.