{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/6/minnesota-congressional-delegation-contributes-images-of-minnesota-in-2026-for-congressional-time-capsule-in-celebration-of-america-s-250th-anniversary", "Minnesota Congressional Delegation Contributes Images of Minnesota in 2026 for Congressional Time Capsule in Celebration of America\u2019s 250th Anniversary", "2026-06-25", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Michelle Fischbach", "F000470", "fischbach.house.gov", "fischbach", "https://fischbach.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Time capsule will be opened at America\u2019s 500th Anniversary on July 4, 2276\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota Congressional Delegation announced that it is contributing a collection of original images of Minnesota in 2026 for a Congressional Time Capsule in honor of America\u2019s 250th Anniversary. The Minnesota collection includes photographs from across Minnesota\u2019s eight Congressional Districts as well as accompanying letters from the delegation that explain their significance to their districts, state, and nation. The capsule will be dedicated at Emancipation Hall this afternoon and will be sealed in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center to be opened on America\u2019s 500th Anniversary on July 4, 2276. Click here to view a digital version of the Minnesota Delegation\u2019s submission.\n\n\u201cAs we look back on the first 250 years of American history, I am proud to represent the families of Minnesota's Seventh District. From hardworking crop and livestock producers to biofuel and advanced manufacturers, Western Minnesota is a leader in securing America\u2019s food supply and energy future. While technology and policy will evolve, the character and grit of our rural communities will carry our great nation forward into the next 250 years,\u201d said Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach.\n\n\u201cMinnesota has always been a place worth celebrating, and as our nation marks 250 years of freedom and democracy, there is no better time than now to highlight the places, people, and stories that make our state extraordinary in 2026,\u201d said Congresswoman Betty McCollum, the Dean of the Minnesota Congressional delegation. \u201cThis time capsule is a contribution to future generations. It\u2019s a record of Minnesota\u2019s storied history, rich culture, remarkable diversity, and the natural wonders \u2013 the Mississippi River, Lake Superior, the Minnesota State Fair, and more \u2013 that define us. We are excited to offer future generations a glimpse of what it\u2019s like to live in Minnesota in the year 2026.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe 250th anniversary of the United States is an opportunity to honor the Minnesotans who have contributed to our nation\u2019s history and those who will continue this legacy,\u201d said Senator Amy Klobuchar. \u201cFor our Congressional Delegation time capsule, I included a picture of the Minnesota State Fair, which represents Minnesota at its best: creative, innovative, hardworking, and welcoming \u2014 values that our state will carry forward for the next 250 years.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor the past 250 years, America promoted democracy, liberty and freedom at home and abroad,\u201d said Senator Tina Smith. \u201cWe wouldn\u2019t always get it right the first time, but we never gave up. That\u2019s the true American spirit. We\u2019re still working on creating that more perfect union, and I hope in another 250 years, we will be closer to achieving it. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says, \u2018The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.\u2019\u201d\n\n\u201cOur Sixth Congressional District is full of patriotic Minnesotans who love our state and this country. In the 250th year of our nation, it's an honor to commemorate the great state of Minnesota and the people and places that make it so special,\u201d said Congressman Tom Emmer. \u201cOne of those places is the Delano Area Sports Arena. For my family and countless others, the memories made at that rink will last for generations. It is my hope that 250 years from now, Minnesotans will still be building community and connection over a shared love of hockey.\u201d\n\n\u201cMore than two hundred and forty years ago, the founding fathers identified the bald eagle as a symbol of the strength and independence promised in our new nation,\u201d said Congressman Brad Finstad. \u201cSince then, we have revered this majestic creature as the unquestionable icon of the United States. Southern Minnesota is the proud home of the National Eagle Center, our country\u2019s only educational center dedicated to preserving the bald eagle and its historical and cultural significance. I was honored to introduce the legislation to officially recognize the bald eagle as our national bird and am proud to see its inclusion in our state\u2019s contribution to the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we come together to celebrate America\u2019s 250th birthday, I couldn\u2019t be prouder to represent Minnesota, a state whose rich culture, history and natural beauty are integral to the fabric of our great nation,\u201d said Congresswoman Angie Craig. \u201cI hope that this time capsule serves as a snapshot in time for generations of Minnesotans \u2013 a reminder of who we are today and of the traditions and places that will shape our state and our country for centuries to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cMinnesota\u2019s natural beauty and the strength of our vibrant communities make it the best state to live in in the country,\u201d said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. \u201cI submitted a picture that highlights the Third District\u2019s unique lakes and our beloved state bird, the loon. I\u2019m so proud to call Minnesota home and I know future generations will cherish this state as much as we have.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur office is honored to contribute to this time capsule alongside the Minnesota delegation that future Americans will open 250 years from now,\u201d said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. \u201cWe chose to include Prince\u2019s iconic Purple Rain album because it embodies the creativity and enduring spirit of Minnesota. From the breathtaking beauty of the Boundary Waters to the global impact of artists like Prince, Minnesota has helped shape the American story in countless ways. We are proud to give future generations a glimpse into the incredible traditions, diversity, and values that define us as Minnesotans in 2026.\u201d\n\n\u201cMinnesota is truly a special place, and as our nation celebrates 250 years of American excellence, I am honored to participate in the Congressional Time Capsule to showcase the many places, people, and traditions that make Minnesota such an exceptional part of this great nation,\u201d said Congressman Pete Stauber. \u201cAs the Representative of Minnesota\u2019s 8th Congressional District, I am especially excited about my contribution to honor the majestic waters of Lake Superior and the vital role this natural resource plays in helping our region thrive. I have much optimism for the future, and I hope those who open this Time Capsule 250 years from now enjoy learning more about Minnesota\u2019s story and the enduring spirit of the North Star State.\u201d\n\nAs part of Congress\u2019s efforts to celebrate America's 250th birthday, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act (P.L. 119-79) directs the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to create and prepare a congressional time capsule to be sealed in the Capitol Visitor Center. The capsule is an opportunity for each state and territory delegation to provide a joint submission that provides a snapshot in time in 2026. The capsule will be opened on our nation's 500th anniversary, July 4, 2276.\n\nThe Members of Minnesota\u2019s Delegation to the United States Congress include Senator Amy Klobuchar (DFL), Senator Tina Smith (DFL), Congressman Brad Finstad (R, MN-01), Congresswoman Angie Craig (DFL, MN-02), Congresswoman Kelly Morrison (DFL, MN-03), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL, MN-04), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (DFL, MN-05), Congressman Tom Emmer (R, MN-06), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (R, MN-07), and Congressman Pete Stauber (R, MN-08).", 1, "2026-06-26T06:29:35Z", "2026-06-26T06:31:46Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://fischbach.house.gov/2026/6/minnesota-congressional-delegation-contributes-images-of-minnesota-in-2026-for-congressional-time-capsule-in-celebration-of-america-s-250th-anniversary"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6665699183940887, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}