Dale entered a recovery program during the past session. I believe the program focused on substance abuse, specifically alcoholism. I had doubts Dale would make it back. The Speaker and powers to be allowed Dale to remain in the body in order to receive treatment. From the stories I heard, I feared the worst for Dale. Following a strict and successful regiment in a Great Falls facility, Rep. Mortensen returned to our body.
We lost Dale a few weeks back. He died with many years of life before him. Maybe his immune system was weakened, I do not know. Dale was a conservative, I’m not; but one shouldn’t make generalizations concerning one’s political leanings. Surprises are the beauty of the legislature. I will always remember Dale’s compassionate floor speech concerning the renaming of ColumbusDay to Indigenous Peoples Day. Dale supported the change, a bill sponsored by my Democrat colleague and candidate for State Auditor, Shane Morigeau. Rep. Mortensen recalled a sweat lodge ceremony he had experienced. I believe Dale was a livestock brands inspector, affording him the opportunity to meet Montanan’s invested in ranching and agriculture.
The bill easily passed the House and then met it’s death in the Senate. Likely it will pass next session barring a veto (I think most gubernatorial candidates will support the renaming). Columbus was a scoundrel BUT he should not be forgotten or erased from our children’s history books. The holiday deserves a freshening up and I could think of no better way than honoring out first peoples in the country we reside in and love.
Dale made the connection and in doing so better understood the humanity of such a change, likely understanding that need more than many of us in the body. Dale and I got closer, with similar interests in other topics. The Montana Legislature is a place that allows folks from differing political affiliations to find the elusive common ground and create laws to make us better. I will miss Representative Mortenesen, HD44, Billings.