Don Bacon

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shannon Bingham of Omaha, Nebraska.

Shannon is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author, and advocate whose life and service have been profoundly shaped by the power of adoption. Recently named a two-time Nebraska Merit Mother of the Year, Shannon has dedicated her life to strengthening families, supporting children, and raising awareness about adoption.

Her advocacy began in her own home when Shannon adopted her son Seth. She quickly realized that adoption is not simply about welcoming a child into a family. It is a lifelong commitment to unconditional love, understanding, and growth. Like many adoptive families, their story has been filled with both joy and significant challenges. Through it all, Shannon developed an understanding of the unique needs of adoptees and the importance of ensuring families have the resources they need to thrive.

What began as a personal family journey has grown into a powerful mission to help others. In 2023, Shannon, Seth, and their family stood alongside Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen as he proclaimed National Adoption Awareness Month in the State of Nebraska. Since then, this inspiring mother-and-son duo have continued to use their voices to support families navigating their own adoption paths.

Today, Shannon continues as an adoptive family mentor with the Nebraska Children's Home Society. In

this role, she provides support and encouragement to prospective and adoptive families. She has also shared her family's story across numerous television media and speaking platforms, using every opportunity to educate, advocate, and inspire.

Through her platform, Adoption is an Option, Shannon works to increase awareness, encourage families to consider adoption, and advocate for children awaiting permanent loving homes. She believes that every child deserves a true sense of connection, belonging, and the knowledge that they are deeply loved.

By sharing both the beautiful moments and the real challenges of adoption, Shannon has become a champion for children and families across Nebraska and beyond. Her story is a testament to this belief that while adoption begins with a single act of love, its impact echoes for generations.

Shannon and her husband, Kurt, have three children, Seth, Ian, and Nora.

Recognizing Sue Morris

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sue Morris, a leader and a true champion of community transformation in Nebraska.

For 25 years as president of Heritage Omaha, she shaped the culture and civic landscape of our region. Under her leadership, the organization realized over $1 billion of community projects and raised more than $750 million in private philanthropic funds. From the Holland Performing Art Center and the Joslyn Art Museum to the University of Nebraska Omaha's Baxter Arena and Charles Schwab Field, her work has transformed our community.

Sue's approach to philanthropy is to always focus on stewardship, ethics, and deep community impact. She mastered the art of aligning a donor's unique passion with a meaningful public need, viewing herself not just as a fundraiser but as a facilitator for the common good.

Her recent work represents what she calls the crown jewel of her professional life. As president of the Veterans Trust, Sue spearheaded the development of the new Ambulatory Care Center at the Omaha VA Medical Center, which serves thousands of veterans across Nebraska and western Iowa. The Ambulatory Care Center was the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership under the landmark legislation known as the CHIP-In for Veterans Act, which Sue helped shepherd through Congress. Her efforts on behalf of veterans continue to see the CHIP-In for Veterans Act become the permanent pathway for construction of veterans' healthcare facilities through public-private partnerships.

After leaving Heritage Omaha in 2020, Sue served as an adviser at Nebraska Philanthropic Trust until retiring in July 2026. Today, Sue remains a vital force in our community, driven by a simple and enduring desire to make a positive impact.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership in compiling this bill. By the way, it passed with a huge bipartisan majority in committee.

I also thank my friend and subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Ro Khanna, for his collaboration this year, and I appreciate the great subcommittee staff who do such a fantastic job.

As we have seen across modern battlefields, technology is evolving at a faster rate than ever before. Artificial intelligence, cyber, quantum, biotechnology, and other emerging capabilities are changing the way wars are fought and won.

The United States is the gold standard for scientific innovation, and it is of the utmost importance that we remain committed to equipping our servicemembers with the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art, and mission-relevant tools available.

This year's NDAA delivers on that promise by supporting our defense industrial base, our science and technology communities, and our warfighters. The FY27 NDAA helps lay the foundation for our future technological edge by providing budget certification authority for the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to enable better oversight of the military services' S&T budgets and priorities.

This bill also requires the Department to review, update, and modernize its policies on leveraging AI for military functions, ensuring more secure and robust development of AI capabilities.

The FY27 NDAA also helps tackle the ``valley of death'' by requiring more formal integration and technology

transition between the Defense Innovation Unit and military services.

Finally, this Defense bill importantly restores our defense spending to 4.5 percent of the GDP, which is critical to deter conflict and reinforce America's commitment to ensuring security and stability around the world.

This NDAA is a strong, bipartisan bill that takes care of our servicemembers and promotes U.S. military dominance, and I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 8800.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man from Omaha who is known for his dedication, integrity, tenacity, and voice. Bill Jensen, also known as the Voice of the College World Series, started his radio broadcast career at KLIN in 1967. He took a small break to serve in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972.

Bill then returned to Omaha radio, working at KOTD, KLNG, KYNN, WOW, KOMJ, and KFAB. He gave his vocal pipes a break when he worked as an aide to the Omaha mayor from 1978 to 1981.

On January 10, 1975, Bill was the last to arrive at KLNG on a Friday and would be stuck there with the rest of his news team until Sunday. Omaha received 16 inches of snow, compounded by 60-mile-an-hour winds, paralyzing the city for days.

The following May, Omaha was struck by an F4 tornado that, at the time, was the costliest tornado in history, with at least $150 million in damage. As trained spotters and radio station personnel called in reports, Bill

remained steadfast on the KLNG airwaves as the anchor, providing the people of Omaha with calm resolve and valuable information.

Bill was also credited with being the first journalist to report on the death of Omaha Mayor Bernie Simon in 1988.

Throughout his career, Bill also worked part-time for the Omaha Royals and the Storm Chasers at the College World Series, starting in 1983 as an usher supervisor and serving in different areas such as ticket taker, pass gate attendant, security at the Hall of Fame room at Rosenblatt, and scoreboard operator. In the mid-1980s, he took over as the announcer for the Omaha Royals, and in 2001, he competed and won the coveted spot to replace Jake Payne at the mike at the College World Series.

What many people don't know is the time that Bill would spend preparing for the World Series, watching as many regional college games as possible to learn the teams and the players' names. In his 26 years, Bill has announced more than 370 consecutive games, and together, he and Jack announced over 900 games.

Some of his most memorable moments include his very first game when he introduced President George W. Bush, who threw out the first pitch, and Nebraska's first-ever appearance at the College World Series.

Bill also fondly remembers Father's Day in 2022, when members of his family surprised him in the announcer's booth because he never got to spend a Father's Day with them. He will also remember the baked treats that his wife would make for him and his colleagues during the World Series.

Bill Jensen and his predecessor, Jack, will forever be remembered as the Voices of the College World Series.

Now, he looks forward to being a fan and spending time at and away from the games with his wife, Deanna; his daughter, Danielle; stepson, Brian; daughter-in-law, Wendy; and grandchildren Natalie, Connor, Carly, and Camryn.

Mr. Speaker, as Bill hits the button on the mike for the last time, Omaha thanks him.