Ilhan Omar

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John and Amy Higgins and their work to host the Fourth Annual Lake of the Isles Pencil Sharpening. In 2022, after high winds damaged a 180-year-old oak tree near the historic Bull Higgins house, John and Amy commissioned local sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad to shape it into a piece of art that folks of all ages can identify with: the No. 2 pencil. Since then, John and Amy have welcomed the Minnesota community to join them on the first Saturday in June for an annual ceremonious pencil sharpening, complete with music, coordinated dance, and ice cream. Through this annual event, John and Amy present the community with a story of renewal--a symbolic sharpened pencil to write new love letters or thank-you notes with--and invite folks to reflect on all of the things they have done in the past year and welcome in the next.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart in support of H. Res. 519. What happened in my State of Minnesota was a painful reminder of the growing threats that public servants face simply for doing their jobs. Speaker Melissa Hortman was a friend, mentor, and fierce advocate who dedicated her life to public service. The assassination of Melissa and her husband, Mark, and the harm done to Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, is a tragedy that should shake all of us, regardless of party. This resolution calls on us, on both sides of the aisle, to take that violence seriously. Recently, we have seen acts of political violence minimized, joked about, and used as a talking point. This has to stop. This job is never supposed to come with a target on our backs. Political violence has no place in our democracy. If we truly believe in the work that we are doing here, then we have to protect the people who serve. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late former Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Melissa Hortman. From the start of her career fighting housing discrimination as a volunteer lawyer to leading the Minnesota House as speaker, Melissa truly exemplified what it means to live a life of public service. It was my honor to serve alongside her in the Minnesota legislature, where she showed me how to lead with passion and integrity. I was heartbroken to learn that my dear friend and her husband, Mark, were assassinated in an act of senseless political violence. There is absolutely no place in our communities for this kind of cruelty. We must settle our differences with civility and grace. We owe this promise to Melissa, Mark, and the Hoffmans, who also suffered at the hands of this violence, and our future generations. Mr. Speaker, may Melissa's memory of unwavering dedication to all of Minnesota be remembered for years to come.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maria Martirosyan Issakhanian, a dedicated member of my team for the last five years. Since November 2019, Maria has loyally served the constituents of Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Maria arrived in the United States at the age of six, growing up in the Little Armenia neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. After graduating from Bravo Medical Magnet High School, Maria went on to the University of California, Berkeley where she was a double major in Political Science and Slavic, East European, and Eurasian studies. Maria's background in politics and passion for public service inspired her to come to Capitol Hill, where she flourished as a U.S. House of Representatives intern on the prestigious Ways and Means Committee, a staffer at the office of Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), and later, a staffer at my office. During her time in my office, Maria proved to be a committed, thoughtful, and sharp member of the legislative team. With an extensive legislative background, strategic acumen, and a deep understanding of congressional politics, Maria introduced over 20 bills, successfully shepherding four of them into law, including the MEALS Act and two through the Education and Labor Committee. Her impact extends beyond legislative wins as she has effectively coordinated efforts to drive the national conversation on issues like universal school meals, student debt cancellation, and climate justice. But Maria's skills and fervor go beyond her legislative work. In the past five years, Maria dedicated her free time to volunteering with community organizations to help young adults as they navigated their careers in Washington. Proud of her Armenian heritage, she serves as the President of the Congressional Armenian Staff Association, sharing her knowledge of Capitol Hill and professional development with the next generation of the Hill and uplifting her community every step of the way. She always goes above and beyond to help people grow in our office as well. She would set aside one day every semester to train our interns on professional development, networking, and the importance of finding their vocation as they continue their journey beyond our internship program. Maria greatly cares for everyone in our office and has no problem going the extra mile in times of need. Overall, Maria proved to be a reliable member of the team as she extended her hand to help others, warmly greeted new colleagues to help them feel welcome, and played an integral role in brightening our office with her generous puns and laughter. On behalf of Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and thanking Maria for her service. Her contributions to my office and the constituents of the 5th District will forever be remembered and cherished. It was an honor to get to work alongside her to advance a more just world. Maria was an invaluable member of my team and will be missed in the office each day. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors as she takes her talents and skills to the Senate.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to denounce the Trump administration's police state tactics in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New York City, and so many other cities across the country. We should speak clearly about what is happening. Masked agents of the state in unmarked vehicles are terrorizing communities. They are disappearing people. They are targeting political opponents of the President. They are using militarized force to silence, intimidate, and brutalize not just Americans who are exercising their First Amendment rights but also members of the press. They are partnering with Trump's donors, Silicon Valley oligarchs, for a sinister and deeply un-American agenda of surveillance and criminalization based on people's political views or, in some cases, just based on where they live. There was a story that Trump told during the campaign about the need to restore law and order, about the need to target criminals. Within moments of assuming the Presidency for the second time, though, his true agenda became clear. The administration has no interest whatsoever in targeting criminals. What they want is to fulfill Stephen Miller's white nationalist fantasy. They are targeting law-abiding people. In fact, they are punishing immigrants who are following the law. Let me say that again: They are punishing immigrants who are following the law. That is what it means to use IRS data to target people. It means targeting people who are paying their taxes. That is what it means to send agents, with their faces covered by bandanas, to immigration court to arrest people while leaving their hearings. They are punishing people who are doing things the right way by showing up to court and going through the process. It can be a little easy in politics to point out the hypocrisy on the other side and to point out people's inconsistencies when their own party is in charge. Yet, I can't ignore the irony that the Republican Party has spent my entire life railing about Big Brother when Democrats want to put simple things like energy standards on appliances. For the last 4 years, the majority has gone on and on about the weaponization of the Federal Government. My Republican colleagues created a special subcommittee here in the House, which I happily voted for, to hammer the idea that Americans were being targeted based on their political views. I wonder, when the Federal Government is sending marines to break up protests in Los Angeles, why are we hearing little from that side about the States' rights. I wonder, when unaccountable rogue agencies are partnering with tech companies like Palantir to surveil and profile Americans, why are we hearing so little from the other side about civil liberties. I also wonder, when people are being arrested, stripped of their green cards, and deported because they do not agree with our government's position on Gaza, why are we hearing so little from that side about the weaponization of the Federal Government. The American people are right to be disturbed by these unmistakably fascist tactics, and they are showing up in numbers to oppose the militarized raids. They are using their constitutional rights to oppose the brutality of Trump and Miller's policies. I stand in solidarity with the people in my district and across this country who are coming out to peacefully make their voices heard and demand respect for our constitutional rights and values. The people who are standing up for their neighbors, standing up for families, and standing up for communities are showing more patriotism and more genuine commitment to our founding ideals than the people running the executive branch. This administration will not last forever, and the reactions of everyday Americans to this authoritarianism give me heart. A couple of weeks ago, after an ICE raid at a pizzeria in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, two people gave quotes to local news that have been making the rounds. One of them said: ``It is just made to instill fear, and I am not sure why we need fear in our communities instead of love and caring and community.'' That is what we are about in this country, and that is what we will continue to stand up for.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the incredible Minnesota Frost on a monumental performance throughout the 2025 Professional Women's Hockey League championship season, resulting in winning their second straight Walter Cup title. Last year, our Minnesota Frost made history, winning the inaugural Walter Cup trophy at the 2024 PWHL finals. Thanks to their third consecutive overtime victory, the Walter Cup will stay at home in Minnesota for another year. This tremendous achievement wraps up an incredible season for the Frost. I congratulate each and every athlete for the hard work and dedication they have put in to bring home this championship win and continue to put Minnesota women's sports on the map. We are so proud of them.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 156.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the City of Richfield, Minnesota, as they break ground on their renovation of Wood Lake Nature Center. Wood Lake Nature Center is one of Minnesota's first environmental education centers. Since 1971, the Center has been a destination for south metro residents looking to experience marsh, woodland, and restored prairie land in the heart of an urban setting. Over 100,000 people visit the center each year, including 25,000 who go for programming like summer camps, group hikes, archery, wilderness skill training, birding, and more. On a daily basis, around three separate schools bring their students to learn about the natural world. It has become an invaluable resource to inner city students who otherwise may not have access to the preserved natural spaces and environmental education provided at Wood Lake Nature Center. While hosting such a diversity of guests and programs, Wood Lake Nature Center had found it difficult to keep up with rising demand. Their 4,000-square-foot visitors center had fallen into disrepair, and it couldn't adequately house all of the programs and visitors that have come to love the connection to nature they receive there. The City of Richfield embarked on a multi-year capital campaign and planning process to reimagine what the Center could be. They worked with the Science Museum of Minnesota on educational nature exhibits, talked with architects and contractors on the building design, and passed a ballot initiative to help raise funds. Voters overwhelmingly approved this new funding. I was also proud to secure a Congressional appropriation of $3,000,000 through Community Project Funding to make sure this project could move forward. Richfield's groundbreaking ceremony is a celebration of what is possible when community members, elected leaders, non-profits, businesses, and philanthropic groups work together and dream big. Next fall, thousands of Minnesotans will get to walk through the doors of a visitors center that is a fitting centerpiece to this incredible nature preserve. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Richfield, and the whole Wood Lake Nature Center team, on this remarkable achievement.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and Publisher at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder--our state's oldest Black-owned newspaper. In 2025, Ms. Williams-Dillard was inducted into the esteemed Half- Century Club by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. This prestigious honor celebrates her 50-plus years of dedication to the newspaper industry, highlighting her unwavering commitment to the legacy of the Spokesman-Recorder and her vital role in amplifying Black voices in media. Ms. Williams-Dillard's lifelong journey in journalism started at age eight when she began working after school to print addresses at the Spokesman-Recorder, her family's newspaper. It was here that she first learned the importance of hard work, responsibility, and the value of earning a living--lessons that would become the foundation of her career. Over the next decades, Ms. Williams-Dillard performed various roles at the newspaper including as a receptionist, in billing and advertising, and as office manager. Her path to becoming the president and CEO was not straightforward, and her journey reflects her versatility, adaptability, and a deep commitment to both personal and professional growth. In 2001, she was named President and CEO of the newspaper, and, in 2007, Ms. Williams-Dillard became its proud owner. Under her leadership, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has exemplified excellence, never missing a deadline, a testament to her meticulous attention to detail and steadfast dedication to journalistic integrity. Ms. Williams-Dillard's leadership is rooted in the strong foundation laid by her predecessors--one built on respect, deep ties to the African American community, and a steadfast commitment to integrity with readers. She has not only maintained these values but has expanded them, ensuring the paper remains a vital and respected voice for historically marginalized communities and beyond. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Williams-Dillard today for her extraordinary contributions to our community, and for her recent honor from the Minnesota Newspaper Association. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Williams Dillard--and the whole Spokesman-Recorder team--on this remarkable achievement.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jeremy Zavitz, a dedicated educator, loving husband, and devoted father who touched the lives of so many in our community. Mr. Zavitz passed away on February 22, 2025, after a 24-year fight with brain cancer, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Mr. Zavitz was born in Minneapolis and was a proud graduate of Orono High School. He later attended the University of St. Thomas, where he earned a degree in history and teaching. Initially, Mr. Zavitz embarked on a career in real estate and business development but ultimately found his calling in education. In 2012, Mr. Zavitz began his tenure at DeLaSalle High School as a social studies teacher, where his vibrant spirit, unwavering dedication, and passion for teaching radiated. Known for his energetic and engaging classes, Mr. Zavitz had the unique ability to transform lessons into powerful stories that captivated his students. His approach to teaching was rooted in authenticity and compassion, making every student feel welcome, valued, and heard. Colleagues and students alike remember him not just for his knowledge and dedication to teaching but also for his commitment to living a life of purpose. Jeremy is survived by his loving wife, Maud Zavitz, and their 7-year- old son, Edmund John Zavitz. He leaves behind a legacy not only through his family but through the generations of students who carry forward his lessons of kindness, authenticity, and perseverance. Mr. Speaker, Jeremy Zavitz was a true example of what it means to lead a life of service to others, and his impact on DeLaSalle High School, his community in South Minneapolis, and his family will never be forgotten. Today, we honor his memory and express our deepest condolences to his family and all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress should not be allowed to trade stock. This should be a no-brainer. Members of Congress should not be allowed to profit off of their service. When Members are in a position of directly benefiting from the manipulation of the stock market, and they profit off of their position, it is corruption, plain and simple. Just last month, numerous Members and Cabinet officials profited off of Donald Trump's tariff chaos announcement. This should not be acceptable. I know a majority of Americans agree. Nearly 90 percent support a ban. Every time a Member cashes in, it undermines public trust. That is why I have always supported a ban for elected officials and their families, because exploiting inside information to enrich yourself should never be allowed. It is time we come together to stop this corruption and pass an immediate stock trading ban.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sue Abderholden for her transformational leadership and advocacy for accessible mental health services in Minnesota. During her 24 years of service as the executive director for the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness Minnesota, she helped pass over two dozen landmark laws that reshaped education, healthcare, housing, and criminal justice to better serve people living with mental illness. Sue championed legislation to require mental health training for teachers and expanded crisis and early intervention services. Thanks to Sue's unwavering commitment to expanding culturally responsive, person- centered mental health care, our communities are safer and healthier. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for her years of service, and I hope she has a wonderful retirement.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ted Pouliot for a lifetime of service supporting our Minneapolis community. As a senior at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis in 1952, Ted first started volunteering at House of Charity's dining hall to help feed Minnesotans going hungry. This was just the start of his decades of service. Later in life, Ted founded the Minneapolis affordable housing nonprofit, Project for Pride in Living, helping folks find stable housing. Now, at 91, Ted paints to raise funds for nonprofits throughout Minneapolis. This past weekend, he raised $12,000 at his art sale to benefit nonprofits working to end homelessness and address hunger for Agate Housing and Services, Groveland Emergency Food Shelf, and Sabathani Food Shelf. Ted truly embodies what it means to live a life of service. It is truly an honor to recognize him here today.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and recognize the extraordinary bravery of Tesfaye Deyasso, who was named the 2025 National Hero of the Year by the National Association of Letter Carriers. On April 18, 2024, Mr. Deyasso witnessed a car drive off the highway and crash into a barrier, erupting into flames. Without hesitation, he rushed to the scene. Joined by a group of Good Samaritans, Mr. Deyasso worked tirelessly to pry the car door open, fighting against intense heat and smoke from the burning car to save the driver trapped inside. Mr. Deyasso has been a proud member of the Minneapolis Branch 9 of the National Association of Letter Carriers for over 4 years. His heroism is a testament to the strength and compassion found in our community. I am proud to have Mr. Deyasso as a constituent, and I am honored to commend his bravery. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Tesfaye Deyasso on his remarkable and well-earned honor.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I am here today as a Representative of a community that is deeply alarmed by the actions of this administration. Just weeks ago, the Trump administration defied a unanimous--we didn't think this was possible--but a unanimous Supreme Court order by refusing to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father wrongfully deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Despite the Court's clear directive, the administration continues to ignore the rule of law, undermining the very foundation of our democracy. In my own district, the situation is equally troubling. A graduate student at the University of Minnesota was detained by ICE agents without warning. Despite having no involvement in political activism, he was taken from his home, held without immediate explanation, and had his visa retroactively revoked. This action not only disturbed his education but also instilled fear in our academic community. These are not isolated incidents. Across the country, people are being detained and deported without due process, often based on tenuous and/or unverified allegations. The administration's use of obscure laws, like the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, to justify these actions is a blatant abuse of power. We must ask ourselves: If the rights of noncitizens can be so easily disregarded, whose rights will be next? Our Constitution guarantees due process and equal protection under the law to everyone in this country, not just citizens. If the government can silence you, detain you, or deport you while defying court orders, then none of our rights are safe. If we let this slide, we are saying the Constitution is optional. It is not. What we are seeing is authoritarianism creeping in through the backdoor, one ignored ruling at a time. My colleagues and I are ready to fight back with everything we have got.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, this budget resolution isn't about fiscal responsibility. It is about enriching the ultrawealthy and betraying working people. It is about gutting Medicaid and SNAP so that the rich can continue to hoard more tax breaks. These cuts do not make our country stronger. They make it sicker, hungrier, and more unfair. This time, Republicans are not even pretending to pay for it. Senate Republicans are rewriting the rules and inventing fake budget math to claim that these tax cuts will not cost us anything. In truth, they cost the American people $7 trillion in total. All of this is being done to pave the way for a Trump term built on fear, lawlessness, and vengeance. President Trump is firing public servants, slashing critical programs, and enacting chaotic tariffs that will raise costs. This chaotic administration is trying to drag us into a recession. Instead of stopping it, congressional Republicans are acting as willing accomplices.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the trailblazing accomplishments of Amy Cooper, this year's recipient of the Minnesota History Center National Girls and Women in Sports Day Wilma Rudolph Courage Award. Amy's athletic career started at Washburn High School in Minneapolis where she was a standout athlete in swimming, track, basketball, and soccer. Then, playing for Howard University, she went on to become the first soccer player from a historically Black college and university to earn all-conference honors. Not long after, Amy was diagnosed with health conditions that prevented her from continuing to play soccer competitively so she turned to coaching. Yet, her commitment to expanding athletic opportunities for women of color never wavered. Her perseverance and commitment to expanding opportunities for girls and women in sports makes her the perfect candidate for the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award, and we could not be more proud of her for this accomplishment.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Congressman Raul Grijalva. Raul was one of was one of my dear friends in Congress and someone who I looked up to as a model for what real progressive leadership looked like. He was a legend for the Chicano activism of his youth, and a trailblazer who started his career in public service as a community organizer and activist. From his time on the school board to the County Board of Supervisors to the halls of Congress--Raul was always a voice for the voiceless. He left such a profound legacy on Tucson's school board that an elementary school was named after him years before he ever got elected to Congress. He was a fighter for working families his entire life and used every ounce of grit to deliver for his beloved community every day he was in office. He was a fighter for working families his entire life and used every ounce of grit to deliver for his beloved community every day he was in office. He was an uncompromising champion of the environment, of bilingual education, of the rights of immigrants, and of the rights of Native Americans. He was also a genuine human being to the very last, committed to what he believed in, who never let the petty politics of the day make him cynical, or hard, or mean. I am grateful for his commitment and unwavering courage that he used to make our country better. I will miss him greatly. I am sending love and light to his family, Ramona, Adelita, Marisa, and Raquel, his staff, and all who loved him.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 77.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center on its 100th anniversary. For a century, this incredible institution has been a beacon of hope, opportunity, and resilience for the people of North Minneapolis. Since its founding in 1924, the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center has stood as a testament to the power of community-driven progress. It has uplifted generations through education, social services, and advocacy-- ensuring that families, children, and individuals have access to the resources they need to thrive. This legacy of empowerment, equity, and inclusion is deeply woven into the fabric of our shared history and continues to serve as an inspiration for us all. The center, originally created during the Jim Crow era as a settlement house, began as a lifeline for Black women studying at the University of Minnesota who were barred from living in university dorms. Over time, it evolved to serve the community in many other ways, offering social services, recreational activities, and a cultural gathering space for the growing Black population in North Minneapolis. Throughout the decades, the center has weathered challenges with determination, adapted to evolving community needs, and remained steadfast in its commitment to justice and opportunity for all. It is a pillar of strength and a cornerstone of progress for our community. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to celebrate the Phyllis Wheatly Community Center for its 100 years of service and to recognize the leadership, staff, volunteers, and supporters who have contributed to its legacy. The center's ability to provide sanctuary, build community, and uplift generations is a true testament to the resilience and spirit of the people it serves. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center on its remarkable achievement, and 100th anniversary.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend congratulations and to recognize the continued leadership of Heather Edelson, who was elected in 2024 as the Hennepin County Commissioner for District 6, after serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives for six years. Ms. Edelson was raised in North and Northeast Minneapolis and attended grade school in Columbia Heights. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college and went on to earn a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. Prior to representing the constituents of Minnesota's District 50A, Ms. Edelson worked as a clinical outpatient mental health therapist. From a young age, she was taught by her grandfather, ``that doing the right thing is not a question, it's the only answer.'' This sentiment led to her passion for service. During her three terms as a State Representative, Ms. Edelson was committed to making a positive impact on the lives of her constituents by advancing policies that improved their quality of life. She has been a champion for disability rights, senior rights, the education system, environmental issues, as well as mental health and public safety. She served on multiple committees, including Education Finance, Human Services Policy, and Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy. Growing up, her family depended on services provided by the county, so she deeply understands the important role she now plays as one of seven Commissioners on the Hennepin County Board. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to honor Ms. Heather Edelson and her commitment to public service. Our community is fortunate to have a leader like Commissioner Edelson, and I look forward to working with her in her new role to make our communities a better place to work and live.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jeremy Zavitz, a beloved father, husband, and member of our community and a teacher at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. Jeremy dedicated his life to teaching and touched the lives of hundreds of Minneapolis students over the years. Even in the midst of difficult health challenges, he never wavered in his commitment to educating and supporting his students. Generations of young people will carry his lessons of kindness, authenticity, and the power of connection. Jeremy saw education as more than just an avenue for teaching. He saw it as a place to help his students become their best selves. His students and colleagues alike remember him as a teacher who led with authenticity and heart. Our community will miss Jeremy dearly, and his legacy will live on.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 53.

Ms. OMAR

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of John Croman, an extraordinary member of our community and a political reporter. John retired from his role as chief political reporter for KARE 11 after nearly 27 years of dedicated service, bringing Minnesotans reliable, informative, and timely political news. Those who worked closely with John admired his wealth of knowledge about Minnesota politics and history and refer to him as the contact, and the context, for every story. John was praised for his commitment to reporting on policy over fleeting trends of the moment and also for his tireless commitment for reporting the truth. He also brought joy to his colleagues and injected it into his work every single day. We will miss his reporting and wish him well in his retirement.