Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-09-02

HONORING MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS

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Context

On 2026-09-02, Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN-4) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS" in the House.

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HONORING MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 139 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E841-E842] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the distinguished career of Minnesota State Senator Sandy Pappas on the occasion of her retirement after 42 years of public service in the Minnesota Legislature. First elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1984 and to the Minnesota Senate in 1990, Senator Pappas has dedicated more than four decades to serving the people of Minnesota, especially the residents of her district in Saint Paul. During her 42 years of legislative service, Senator Pappas has made lasting contributions on issues including education, health care, workers' rights, women's economic security, public safety, transportation, pensions, and economic and social equity. She has chaired the Senate Capital Investment Committee, the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, the Senate State and Local Government Committee, the Senate Higher Education Committee, and the Senate Education Committee. From 2013 to 2016, she served as President of the Minnesota Senate, a testament to the trust placed in her by her colleagues. The Senator's legislative accomplishments have touched the lives of so many Minnesotans. She was instrumental in advancing the Minnesota DREAM Act, the Women's Economic Security Act, statewide Earned Sick and Safe Time, and the creation of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. She championed legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual assault and helped secure Minnesota's ban on child marriage. As a longtime leader on pensions, she helped strengthen retirement security for public employees. Senator Pappas has been a tireless champion for the city of Saint Paul and even ran for mayor in 1997. She helped secure state funding for projects throughout the city, including the Union Depot, the Minnesota Children's Museum, the Ordway, the Victoria Theater, Pedro Park, the North End Community Center, Reconnect Rondo, the reconstruction of the Third Street/Kellogg Bridge, and Shoreline reinforcements on the Mississippi River, Raspberry Island, Upper Landing and Harriet Island. In 2023, as chair of the Senate Capital [[Page E842]] Investment Committee and chief author of the legislation, she helped deliver a historic $2.6 billion capital investment package supporting critical infrastructure for communities across Minnesota. Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Senator Pappas has devoted considerable time and energy to public policy and community service. In 2011, she co-founded Forward Global Women, a nonprofit organization that convenes and trains women leaders from Middle Eastern and North African countries and the United States to step into public leadership positions and build the next generation of women peacemakers. She also taught public policy at Metropolitan State University for 20 years. She earned her bachelor's degree in public policy from Metropolitan State University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government as a Bush Fellow. Throughout her career, Senator Pappas has exemplified a steadfast commitment to public service, human rights, equality, and expanding opportunities for women to lead. It has been an honor to know and work with Senator Pappas. When I was first elected to the Minnesota House in 1992, Sandy was already a force in the state legislature. Over the years, our paths took us in different directions. I eventually went to Congress, while Sandy continued her work in the Minnesota Senate. But we never stopped working together because we both care deeply about the communities we have the privilege to represent. I had the pleasure of working with her on many projects for Saint Paul that brought together local, state, and federal government, including the historic Union Depot. Her legislative expertise, dedication to Saint Paul, and commitment to public service have made her a trusted partner and friend. She leaves public service having made Saint Paul and Minnesota stronger. I am grateful for Sandy's friendship and for all she has done for our communities. I wish her, her husband Neal, their three children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren all the best in this next chapter. Mr. Speaker, please join me in this well-deserved tribute to Senator Sandy Pappas on the occasion of her retirement after 42 years of distinguished public service in the Minnesota Legislature. ____________________

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HONORING MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 139 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E841-E842] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the distinguished career of Minnesota State Senator Sandy Pappas on the occasion of her retirement after 42 years of public service in the Minnesota Legislature. First elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1984 and to the Minnesota Senate in 1990, Senator Pappas has dedicated more than four decades to serving the people of Minnesota, especially the residents of her district in Saint Paul. During her 42 years of legislative service, Senator Pappas has made lasting contributions on issues including education, health care, workers' rights, women's economic security, public safety, transportation, pensions, and economic and social equity. She has chaired the Senate Capital Investment Committee, the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, the Senate State and Local Government Committee, the Senate Higher Education Committee, and the Senate Education Committee. From 2013 to 2016, she served as President of the Minnesota Senate, a testament to the trust placed in her by her colleagues. The Senator's legislative accomplishments have touched the lives of so many Minnesotans. She was instrumental in advancing the Minnesota DREAM Act, the Women's Economic Security Act, statewide Earned Sick and Safe Time, and the creation of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. She championed legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual assault and helped secure Minnesota's ban on child marriage. As a longtime leader on pensions, she helped strengthen retirement security for public employees. Senator Pappas has been a tireless champion for the city of Saint Paul and even ran for mayor in 1997. She helped secure state funding for projects throughout the city, including the Union Depot, the Minnesota Children's Museum, the Ordway, the Victoria Theater, Pedro Park, the North End Community Center, Reconnect Rondo, the reconstruction of the Third Street/Kellogg Bridge, and Shoreline reinforcements on the Mississippi River, Raspberry Island, Upper Landing and Harriet Island. In 2023, as chair of the Senate Capital [[Page E842]] Investment Committee and chief author of the legislation, she helped deliver a historic $2.6 billion capital investment package supporting critical infrastructure for communities across Minnesota. Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Senator Pappas has devoted considerable time and energy to public policy and community service. In 2011, she co-founded Forward Global Women, a nonprofit organization that convenes and trains women leaders from Middle Eastern and North African countries and the United States to step into public leadership positions and build the next generation of women peacemakers. She also taught public policy at Metropolitan State University for 20 years. She earned her bachelor's degree in public policy from Metropolitan State University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government as a Bush Fellow. Throughout her career, Senator Pappas has exemplified a steadfast commitment to public service, human rights, equality, and expanding opportunities for women to lead. It has been an honor to know and work with Senator Pappas. When I was first elected to the Minnesota House in 1992, Sandy was already a force in the state legislature. Over the years, our paths took us in different directions. I eventually went to Congress, while Sandy continued her work in the Minnesota Senate. But we never stopped working together because we both care deeply about the communities we have the privilege to represent. I had the pleasure of working with her on many projects for Saint Paul that brought together local, state, and federal government, including the historic Union Depot. Her legislative expertise, dedication to Saint Paul, and commitment to public service have made her a trusted partner and friend. She leaves public service having made Saint Paul and Minnesota stronger. I am grateful for Sandy's friendship and for all she has done for our communities. I wish her, her husband Neal, their three children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren all the best in this next chapter. Mr. Speaker, please join me in this well-deserved tribute to Senator Sandy Pappas on the occasion of her retirement after 42 years of distinguished public service in the Minnesota Legislature. ____________________