Senate Majority Leader Dean E. Johnson's apology to the Minnesota Senate and his District 13 constituents:

Colleagues, I apologize to you for the inaccurate statement which I made in a meeting with pastors in January.

I have at no time received any commitments regarding potential judicial decisions from any member of the Minnesota Supreme Court. I have always had high regard for the judiciary.

I regret the statement I made, I have apologized outside this forum earlier, and today I apologize to this body, my constituents, and the people of Minnesota.

I have learned from this experience and I suspect the rest of us have as well.

This has been a difficult experience; I appreciate the support of my caucus, my constituents and my friends, and I look forward to working with all members to address the important public policy issues which remain on our agenda for this session.

Thank you.