Senate Education Finance Committee Members Respond to Nashville School Shooting

ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Monday, an assailant opened fire at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, and took the lives of six people, including three children. The DFL members of the Senate Education Finance Committee release the following statement in response to this tragedy:

“Today we grieve for another school devastated by gun violence; another community shattered by senseless tragedy; more families who face the loss of their irreplaceable child, sibling, or loved one. There are no words to describe the pain, grief, fear, and anger that follow a tragedy like this one. Our thoughts are with the people of Tennessee as they grapple with the violence that has been enacted on their community. We will be with them in love and solidarity in the coming days, weeks and months as they try to make sense of this horrific act.

“But thoughts have never been enough. Leaders in Minnesota and across the country must act to end the gun violence public health crisis in the U.S. We must enact evidence-based measures—supported by a large majority of Americans—to protect our children, teachers, friends, and neighbors from fear, violence, and death.”

Senator Mary Kunesh

Senator Heather Gustafson

Senator Steve Cwodzinski

Senator Erin Maye Quade

Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten

Senator Bonnie Westlin

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Mary K. Kunesh represents Senate District 39, which covers the communities of St. Anthony Village, New Brighton, Hilltop, Columbia Heights, Fridley, and a portion of Spring Lake Park.

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Senator Heather Gustafson
Senator Heather Gustafson represents Senate District 36 which includes Centerville, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, North Oaks, Vadnais Heights, and White Bear Lake. She is vice chair of the Education Finance Committee, and serves on the Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee and the Jobs and Economic Development Committee.

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Steve Cwodzinski represents District 49 in the southwest Twin Cities metro.

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Senator Erin Maye Quade represents Senate District 56 which includes Apple Valley, Eagan, and Rosemount. She is vice chair of the Education Policy Committee, and serves on the Education Finance Committee, Human Services Committee, and the State and Local Government and Veterans Committee.
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Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten represents Senate District 66 which includes Falcon Height, Lauderdale, Roseville, and St. Paul. She is vice chair of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, and serves on the Education Finance Committee, Higher Education Committee, and the Labor Committee.

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Senator Bonnie Westlin represents Senate District 42 which includes Maple Grove, Medicine Lake, and Plymouth. She is vice chair of the Elections Committee and serves on the Education Finance Committee and the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

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