Opinions

Each spring, as I travel across the Third District meeting with constituents, I am reminded just how special Nebraska is. There is a peace in rural America you cannot replicate anywhere else. It is the endless Sunday morning sunrise, the crunch of gravel under your feet during an evening stroll, and the sense of community where neighbors look out for one another without hesitation. This is even clearer as neighbors continue to help neighbors as we fight the ongoing fires across our state.

“Welcome to the Good Life.” A phrase every traveler sees as they cross our state lines. For many, it’s just a slogan. But for those of us who call this state home, it’s something deeper. It’s a promise.

If you were one of the critics and, like me, thought that Scott Frost preached the importance of culture too much, then there is a good chance that you know that in my writing I have a word that starts with the same letter that I often use as a crutch.

Tax Day will never be anyone’s favorite holiday. There are no parades, no family gatherings, and certainly no celebrations when April 15th rolls around. For most, it’s a painful reminder of how much of their hard-earned money goes out the door.

There may be no better window into your past way of thinking than what you discover while moving. In my three decades and change on this earth, I have learned that you can tell a lot about a person, including yourself, while sifting through the items that they have either collected over the course of a lifetime or have elected to keep throughout the years.

When Congress is not in session, I am meeting with constituents across the Third District. I always enjoy visiting communities and meeting with Nebraskans where they are, on the front lines of our economy. I take what I learn in these conversations back to Washington and use those insights to guide my work.

Apparently, there is more than one way to make a fruit salad. Frankly, while it seems like a logical conclusion, it is something that I hadn’t really ever thought about.

For the second time this week, while proofreading the pages of one of our newspapers, I was reminded of a more unique Easter tradition that my cousins and I participated in. A tradition that, back in the day, left our pockets jingling.

Growing up in Gering, I learned early on that commitment is key. Reputation and relationships are built by keeping one’s commitments. This principle has guided me throughout my life and continues to shape my work in Congress today.

When it comes to knowing about the weather, I know very little besides what I observe when I walk out the door each day. Too hot, too cold, it doesn’t really matter.