It’s been a little more than a decade since the passing of progressive pit bull Sen. Paul Wellstone. Lawmakers are marking the occasion Wednesday night by gathering with the Minnesota Democrat’s family and former colleagues to honor both his and wife’s life’s work.
The “10th Anniversary Remembrance Event” is scheduled to take place 6 p.m.-8 p.m. in Dirksen 106. The event is being co-hosted by Democratic Minnesota Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar.
Wellstone, his wife, Sheila, daughter, Marcia Wellstone Markuson, and staffers Tom Lapic, Mary McEvoy and Will McLaughlin died Oct. 25, 2002, in a place crash.
Per a Wellstone Action aide, Franken, Klobuchar and Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, are all expected to say a few words. There will also be a video tribute featuring commentary from Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Reps. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., John Lewis, D-Ga., and Tim Walz, D-Minn.
Wellstone Action is the foundation started by Wellstone’s surviving sons, David and Mark.
Minnesota’s entire Democratic delegation, including Rep.-elect Rick Nolan, is expected to attend the ceremony.
“In addition to the speaking program and video, we will be honoring those who continue the work of the Sheila Wellstone Institute and carry forward Sheila’s legacy to end domestic and sexual violence,” the Wellstone Action aide told HOH.
