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Representative Mueller delivers farewell address, urges courage in defense of democracy
Summary
Representative Mueller delivered an emotional farewell on the House floor, thanked constituents, staff and mentors, referenced recent vigils and national concerns including H.R. 1 and Jan. 6, and urged members to "say the plain truth out loud."
Representative Mueller delivered an emotional farewell on the House floor, thanking constituents, volunteers and family for their support and urging lawmakers to show courage in defending democracy.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve my community in this body with you," Representative Mueller said, thanking voters and volunteers who helped elect her "four times." She singled out her family — "a special shout out to my son who's here today and my dad who has watched every single committee hearing and floor session" — and praised the chamber's staff for their service.
Mueller thanked mentors and colleagues across the aisle, and specifically praised Speaker Melissa Hortman for mentorship and leadership. She noted bipartisan work on gender-based violence and said the experience of working with colleagues "has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined."
Turning to recent traumatic events, Mueller referenced the June 14 vigil in the Rotunda for "Mark and Melissa," and said the families who experienced "unimaginable tragedy" showed "hope and courage even though this body ultimately let them down." She also praised Minnesotans who helped their neighbors during the occupation and said members on both sides of the aisle spoke out against racial profiling.
Mueller placed the state and the chamber's work in a broader civic context, warning that "our nation is sliding away from the very democracy that we are celebrating" and recalling that the House passed a resolution in 2021 condemning the Jan. 6 insurrection. She also referenced H.R. 1, saying members raised concerns about its effects while it moved through Congress.
Drawing on the fable of the emperor's new clothes, Mueller urged colleagues to be willing to speak truth to power: "We're that crowd. Will we be the brave one to say the plain truth out loud?" She closed by describing the Irish Claddagh symbol — a heart with hands and a crown — as representing friendship, love and loyalty, and thanked the chamber for the friendships and loyalties formed during her service.
The remarks were delivered on the House floor during the final day of the session; Mueller closed with a direct address to the chamber: "Minnesota, thank you."
