The Minnesota Senate, where Republicans continue to hold a slim majority, has not been receptive to Democrats' gun control bills of late. But one family, in hopes of continuing their daughter's legacy, isn't giving up.
In 2016, Dr. Peter Hayden was celebrating 40 years of sobriety. His mission since then has been to make sure others don't fall into the same cycle of despair. He opened Turning Point in St. Louis Park to help other African-Americans with substance abuse treatment, housing, support services and training to provide stability and safety in their lives.
His daughter Taylor Hayden, a Wayzata alum, wasn't able to make the celebration and sent along a heartfelt video message.
"I just want to tell my dad that I am so, so, so, so proud of you," she said. "You know that I am your No. 1 fan. I am daddy's girl. I am daddy's protector. I am daddy's fighter."
"I'm always a phone call away," she continued. "Unfortunately I can't be here at the event. I really wanted to be here, but I'm here in spirit. To another 40 years. You're my hero and I love you."
Peter Hayden says that was the last time he heard from Taylor before she was struck by a stray bullet in suburban Atlanta in July 2016. She was 25.
For man who's dedicated his life to making sure others don't senselessly die, the loss is still devastating.
"After my recovery, 46 years of sobriety from drugs and alcohol, I have worked 43 years to help other people's children not to do or be (a victim of gun violence)," he said.
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Peter and his wife Joyce Hayden were the only people to testify before the Senate Human Services Reform committee Monday in support of their son Sen. Jeff Hayden's bill. The Taylor Hayden Gun Violence Prevention Act would allocate $200,000 in competitive grants for nonprofits and organizations to address the root causes of gun violence, as well as public awareness and education campaigns. Monday it received its first official Senate hearing after failing last session, but no one else spoke.
"There will be people who work these hallways and oppose legislation like this," DFL Sen. Matt Klein said. "I want it to be noted that they had the opportunity to come and speak in the presence of this family today and make their concerns known, and they chose not to."
State Republicans have resisted multiple attempts by Democrats to enact gun-related bills over concerns of Second Amendment rights ranging from universal background checks to extreme risk protection orders.
But both Peter and Joyce Hayden dabbed tears from their eyes as chair and Anoka Republican Jim Abeler spoke after their testimony.
"I, for one, hope we can get this done. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayden... so sorry," he said softly and slowly, holding back tears. "Senator Hayden, we worked together for a long time and we're all people here and nobody knows what pain people have behind their eyes. I think an advantage we have here in our wonderful state is we don't always agree on things but we're always human to each other. And we always do our best to understand, and I think that you're helping that today."
The committee unanimously voted to move it forward.
The Department of Health will work with Hayden on developing language for the grant process.
