U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, who has represented Minnesota’s 4th district in Congress since 2001, posted a series of messages on her social media account reflecting on national history, honoring local public servants, and acknowledging civil rights leaders.
On February 16, 2026, McCollum invoked a historical quote from Benjamin Franklin to mark Presidents’ Day: “This Presidents’ Day, I’m remembering the words of Benjamin Franklin following the Constitutional Convention. ‘It’s a republic, if you can keep it,’ he cautioned. Amid enormous challenges over the past year, Minnesotans have responded with unity. With our actions, we will”.
The following day, as Minnesota’s legislative session began, McCollum paid tribute to Melissa and Mark Hortman for their contributions to the state: “As the legislative session gets underway in Minnesota today, I join state lawmakers and Minnesotans from across our state in honoring the life and work of Melissa and Mark Hortman. Melissa made Minnesota a better place for all of us. Her dedicated public service inspires us all.” This message was posted on February 17, 2026.
Later that same day, McCollum recognized Rev. Jesse Jackson’s influence on American civil rights: “Rev. Jesse Jackson inspired generations of Americans through his civil rights activism and tireless work to lift people out of the darkness and into the light. His movement created room for everyone — nobody was left behind. As a high school student and later on as adult, I had”.
McCollum has served in Congress since succeeding Bruce Vento in 2001 after previously holding office in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001. Born in Minneapolis in 1954 and currently residing in Saint Paul at age 68, she is an alumna of St. Catherine University with a Bachelor of Arts degree earned in 1987.
