House panel approves amendment to swap Henry M. Rice statue for Hubert Humphrey and refers resolution to general register

The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration adopted an author’s amendment to House File 475 and referred the amended resolution to the general register.

Vice Chair Hollins yielded to Representative Long, the bill’s author, who described HF 475 as a resolution informing Congress of Minnesota’s intent to replace the state’s Henry M. Rice statue with one honoring Hubert Humphrey. Long said the amendment (A2) changes the designated recipient of the Rice statue: rather than the Minnesota Historical Society, the statue would go to the Rice County Board, which had indicated a willingness to accept it. The amendment also adds a whereas clause referencing bipartisan work between Humphrey and Senate Republican leader Everett Dirksen.

Long described Humphrey’s career and national impact, saying Humphrey served as vice president from 1965 to 1969, represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate for 23 years and worked across party lines on major legislation. “I believe it's time that our state update this important representation in our nation's capital,” Long said.

Members offered no public testimony and had no additional questions in committee. The committee adopted the author’s A2 amendment by voice vote and then referred House File 475, as amended, to the general register by voice vote.

Long and other members said separate language in the state government finance bill would allow for donations to pay moving and installation costs for the replacement statue and for returning the Rice statue to Rice County. The committee record shows the action is a referral to the general register; any further steps (floor action, enactment, or shipment to Congress) would follow House procedures and any implementing language in finance legislation.