Brooklyn, NY – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement: 

I join the people of Minnesota and the entire House Democratic Caucus family in mourning the loss of Congressman Rick Nolan who I was honored to serve alongside. Over his six terms in Congress, Representative Rick Nolan was a spirited fighter for the people of Minnesota’s Iron Range.

Starting his public service journey as a Staff Assistant to Walter Mondale, Rick became one of the youngest legislators ever elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives at 24. Entering Congress as a Watergate Baby in 1974, Congressman Nolan was a fierce advocate for working people against corporate greed. Deeply respected on both sides of the aisle, Rick was a Minnesotan to his core and kept the hardworking people of the North Star State at the center of everything he accomplished in Congress. 

After his initial three terms in the House, Rick then devoted his time to creating good-paying jobs back home in Minnesota by working to increase exports and trade. Returning to Congress as my classmate in 2013 after more than three decades, Congressman Nolan’s experience and mentorship became an invaluable part of my public service journey. 

As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, Rick fought relentlessly to protect the Northern Minnesota farmers and rural communities who are too often left behind. As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he worked to pass legislation to rebuild our roads, highways and mass transportation systems to meet the needs of a 21st Century economy. 

I join the entire House Democratic Caucus in expressing our sincere condolences to Congressman Rick Nolan’s family, friends, constituents and all who loved him. 

###