Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as National Law Enforcement Day approaches, I rise today to salute our men and women who keep our communities safe each and every day.

It wasn't long ago that law enforcement was almost universally respected in America. The blue uniform was a symbol not just of law and order but also of community peace and harmony. Policemen and policewomen belonged among the most trusted community members, alongside nurses, teachers, firefighters, and postal workers.

However, something happened in 2020. Antipolice riots erupted in communities across the country. Places like Seattle, Minneapolis, and Chicago were besieged by violence. Violent protestors set up a law enforcement-free zone in Seattle known as CHAZ.

Civil unrest in Minneapolis led to one-half billion dollars' worth of damage while city leadership failed to keep order after George Floyd's death. Folks looked at the Magnificent Mile in Chicago while the world watched America burn.

Nevertheless, this destruction wasn't tolerated in Nebraska.

When disorder erupted in two of our major cities, then-Governor Pete Ricketts cracked down. He deployed State patrol and National Guard members to assist communities and protected businesses and homeowners.

Since the national unrest in 2020, Nebraska has doubled down on our commitment to supporting our men and women in blue. While some States have repealed traditional protections for law enforcement, Nebraska has maintained qualified immunity. This is critical to ensuring law enforcement officers can do their jobs without the threat of frivolous lawsuits or complaints.

Last year, before I came to Congress, I was the proud cosponsor of the Law Enforcement Attraction and Retention Act in the Nebraska legislature. This bill provides a variety of cash incentives for individual officers to help law enforcement agencies retain their workforce. It received almost unanimous approval from that body.

This year--and I want to double down on this--the legislature in Nebraska passed the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act. It covers 100 percent of tuition for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and their children who want to get a college degree from a community college or a State college or university. We are the first State in the Nation to give police officers, their families, and their children free college, recognizing that what they do is important and that it is needed.

If someone is living in one of those places where law enforcement is under attack, I want them to look at Nebraska. Look at what we can do for them and their family. We have a variety of opportunities available in law enforcement. The Nebraska State Patrol is the finest statewide agency in the Nation led by an outstanding colonel, John Bolduc.

Our two biggest cities have fantastic large agencies that provide lots of opportunities to advance. If someone likes to hunt, we can help them there, too.

We have lots of opportunities in smaller agencies, mid-size communities, a plethora of opportunity.

There is truly an opportunity in Nebraska for every law enforcement officer, and it comes with a low cost of living and competitive salaries. Our communities need police officers. Rural communities need police officers. We are doing what we can in Nebraska to make it as attractive to people across the country as humanly possible.

As we honor our peace officers on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I invite anyone working in the profession to consider my great State as they think about their career and what is best for their family and know that Nebraskans support them. We salute their work; we wish them all the best as they continue to protect communities and the good life across our country.

May God bless our law enforcement, and may God bless the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the success of Governor Jim Pillen in Nebraska to help reduce property and income taxes while expanding educational opportunities across our State.

Less than a year ago, Governor Pillen took office as Nebraska experienced historic levels of tax revenue. His first budget poured billions of dollars into property tax relief, helping alleviate Nebraska's high property taxes.

He cut income taxes and sped up the total repeal of Social Security taxes. He also increased the amount of funding the State provides for special education and created an education future fund which committed $1 billion to help Nebraska's schools.

Along the way, he made history by bringing school choice to Nebraska by establishing a scholarship tax credit to help families access more educational opportunities.

This is really just a snapshot of what Governor Pillen had accomplished in less than 12 months, and there is more to come.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Governor Pillen on his great work.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S.J. Res. 32 providing congressional disapproval of the CFPB's Small Business Collection Rule.

I am a businessman myself, and I am proud to say that I have made a payroll every 2 weeks since I was 24 years old.

I will tell you what happens in a situation like this. I am also a borrower. I am a borrower of small community banks across the State of Nebraska.

If you pass something like this, if you go from 7 statutory data points to 81 data points, I am going to have to pay an accountant to sit down and sift through all of our business data to put this together for my bank, my lender, and hope that I get it right so that on the next bank exam, they are not calling me wanting a whole bunch more information.

That is the real cost to small business. That is the real cost to businesses in this Nation. That is what people in this town forget. It is small businesses. It is small-town employers that make this country run, that make the money work, so that people can wake up and have cash in their pocket.

I will say this: If you go from 7 points to 81 points, this is just another example where the CFPB has expanded the scope of the rule as far as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Stanton High School football team for winning the first State football championship in their school's history.

The Mustangs hail from Stanton, Nebraska, a town of less than 2,000 people in Nebraska's First Congressional District. The Mustangs, with a roster of 29 players, went undefeated in their 2023 season and finished it off by winning State at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. This was Stanton's first State appearance in almost two decades.

With two Mustang touchdowns within 13 seconds in the fourth quarter, the 8-man team pulled off a comeback for the Stanton history books.

The team dedicated this season to their late coach, Patric Brechbill, who passed away just weeks before the season started. The boys said they knew he was with them through every tough play.

Congratulations to the Mustangs' players and coaches. They have made their hometown proud and Coach Brechbill very proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate West Point implement on a half-century of doing business.

Fifty years ago, Buddy Ternus, Francis Sand, and Erv Eisenmenger started this business that has grown significantly and evolved to meet the needs of the community through the years.

Today, Erv and his sons Scott and Chad run West Point Implement as a family business.

Over the past five decades, the business has expanded to include West Point Design and EIS, Mfg.

One of the keys to their success has been their commitment ``to stay alert to change, and to lead the way for our employees and our customers toward being the best in the business of production agriculture.''

Cuming County, which is home to West Point Implement, has over 360,000 acres of farmland and is one of the top counties for cattle in Nebraska.

Consequently, West Point Implement has played a pivotal part in helping the ag economy grow in Cuming County in its years of business.

Congratulations to West Point Implement and the Eisenmenger family on reaching this milestone--here's to the next fifty years.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 610, I mistakenly voted no when I intended to vote aye.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to address the growing threat of Delta 8 across communities in Nebraska.

For anyone who may not be following this issue yet, Delta 8 is a variant of THC and is derived from cannabis. Today, retailers across Nebraska are selling THC-laced products aimed at kids. For example, a retailer in Madison County has allegedly been selling gummies containing 200 times the level of THC needed to send a kid to the hospital. Delta 8 products are made to look like common types of candy or snacks to appeal to children.

I am glad Nebraska is cracking down on Delta 8, which are illegal even in States that have legalized recreational marijuana. Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed complaints in 10 counties across Nebraska as he works to confront this challenge.

I commend him and others across the country who are taking action to stop the threat of Delta 8 that is hurting our children.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone watching to visit AGO.Nebraska.gov to learn more.

Saluting Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the service of newly- appointed Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese.

For almost 7 years, Tom honorably served the people of District 41 in the unicameral. I sat next to him on our State's revenue committee. During those years, he fought hard to reform the State's high property taxes and school funding formula.

Over the course of time in the legislature, he worked with both Governor Ricketts and Governor Pillen to deliver historic tax relief.

Earlier this year, Governor Pillen announced that he would appoint Senator Briese to fill a vacancy in the role of State treasurer.

Tom brings with him a wealth of experience in working with the legislature and State senators to shape public policy. He leads an office that manages the State's college savings plan and unclaimed property programs while watching over the State's resources.

I know Tom will do an outstanding job in his new role and I wish him all the best as he takes on this new challenge.

Mr. Speaker, I wish the treasurer best wishes in the years ahead.

Congratulating Hampton Enterprises on 75 Years of Business

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Hampton Enterprises on 75 years of business. The late Joe Hampton opened the real estate and construction company in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1948 when he was just 22 years old.

Throughout the past 75 years, Hampton has constructed everything from houses to offices to the Pinnacle Bank Arena. Hampton has an impressive and extensive list of arenas, schools, and offices, and with all of these buildings comes numerous tenants and customers.

One tenant has been renting office space from Hampton for nearly 40 years. He says they offer a complete spectrum of services. Hampton prides themselves on maintaining their core values of integrity, quality, work ethic, relationships, and stewardship, which is likely why they have found so much success.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Nebraska's First Congressional District, I congratulate Hampton Enterprises on 75 years.

Biden-Xi Meeting

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the upcoming meeting between President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping.

President Biden and President Xi are expected to meet later this month during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Leading Biden Cabinet members have been meeting with high-level officials from the Chinese Communist Party in recent months.

The focus of these meetings has been framed as ``engagement.'' While that might sound nice, the Biden administration's approach has weakened America's position in relation to China.

The CCP respects strength, and America must project it if we are going to succeed in this new era of competition. If President Biden wants to find success in this policy area, he needs to be willing to communicate clear principles around national security, trade, and human rights as he meets with their President. Failure to do this will only mean America's ability to compete against China will fade away.

Mr. Speaker, I wish President Biden all the best as he takes on this challenge. I hope he is up to it.

Recognizing Beckenhauer Construction on 145 Years in Business.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Beckenhauer Construction of Norfolk, Nebraska, on 145 years in business.

Since 1878, Beckenhauer has built everything from churches to schools to hospitals and community projects built around the good life. Today, it is still a family business being run by the fourth and fifth generations.

They have been involved in the Box Butte General Hospital and the Boone County health clinic. The University of Nebraska had them renovate the UNL Barkley Memorial Center in Lincoln just last year.

Beckenhauer Construction's reach extends beyond Nebraska. They recently broke ground on a new law enforcement center in Clay County, South Dakota.

The Beckenhauer commitment is to hold the standards of quality, reliability, integrity, safety, and honesty to provide unparalleled service to their clients. That is why they are likely to grow for another 145 years and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Beckenhauer Construction and wish them the best in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 560.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address America's immigration crisis.

For 29 months, encounters with illegal immigrants have been higher than the highest month in the Trump years.

While Washington Democrats continue to ignore the crisis, House Republicans continue to do everything we can in our power to enforce them.

Earlier this year, we passed H.R. 2, also known as the Secure the Border

Act. This bill helps finish the border wall, stops the Biden administration's open-border policies, and increases Border Patrol staffing.

This legislation awaits consideration in a Democratic-controlled Senate. It cannot wait any longer.

It is time for the Senate to take action. We cannot allow the Biden administration to dismantle the border wall. We cannot allow Secretary Mayorkas to circumvent or dismantle the successful remain in Mexico policy. We cannot continue to allow illegal immigrants to stream across our border illegally without regard for our national security.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to come together and support a commonsense plan like H.R. 2 to stem the humanitarian crisis on our southern border.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor manufacturers across the First District of Nebraska.

Manufacturing is Nebraska's largest industry. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, manufacturing accounts for 11.81 percent of the total output in Nebraska, employing 9.8 percent of our workforce.

Across the First District, these manufacturers are creating jobs. Nucor in Norfolk, Nebraska, produced 33.6 million tons of steel over the last 50 years. Plattsmouth is home to the first creatine manufacturer in the United States. Blazer Athletic fabricates sports equipment in Columbus. Kawasaki makes train cars in Lincoln that ship to Washington, D.C., and New York City. You should also know that Fremont is producing rotisserie chickens and other products for Costco stores across North America.

On behalf of the people of Nebraska's First Congressional District, I extend our sincere thanks to all the manufacturers that are helping make our communities a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Keep up the great work.

Congratulating Northeast Community College on Its 50th Anniversary

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Northeast Community College as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Our community college system plays a critical role in educating the next generation of Nebraska's workforce, and Northeast Community College is leading the way.

The college started with six buildings on its main campus on the edge of Norfolk in 1973. Today, it boasts campuses in South Sioux City, West Point, Norfolk, and O'Neill.

Under the leadership of President Leah Barrett, the college has been making moves. A $22 million investment at the Acklie Family College Farm is setting the college up to become a leader in veterinary technology.

In the spring, Northeast announced the launch of a new agriculture- diesel mechanic apprenticeship program. This fall, the college broke ground on a new facility in South Sioux City to add welding booths and a CDL training building.

On behalf of the people of Nebraska's First Congressional District, I extend our sincere congratulations to Northeast Community College on five great decades.

Marking 90th Anniversary of Columbus Sales Pavilion

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Columbus Sales Pavilion as they celebrate their 90th anniversary.

Founded by M.H. Vanburg in 1933, it is now owned by a fourth- generation family. In a day and age when people switch jobs frequently, the sales pavilion has a local and loyal workforce with some employees boasting over 30 years with their team.

Nebraska is the beef State, and sale barns like the Columbus Sales Pavilion are not only critical to our community, but they are also at the heart of our ag community.

I recently visited the Columbus Sales Pavilion during an auction. I can tell you that the sales pavilion is more than a market. It is a place of connection and community for producers across the area.

This doesn't happen by accident. It happens because the owners have made it their stated mission to make Columbus a better place.

On behalf of the people of Nebraska's First Congressional District, I extend our sincere congratulations to the Columbus Sales Pavilion on 90 great years.

Celebrating 100 Years of Memorial Stadium

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the most iconic places in Nebraska: Memorial Stadium.

This fall, the Huskers are celebrating 100 years of the stadium. Through these gates pass the greatest fans in college football. That has been proven for the last century.

On game days, Memorial Stadium becomes the third largest city in Nebraska, with more than 90,000 fans gathering at every home game. Since 1962, we have sold out every single game. That is 390 consecutive sellouts.

The love for Husker athletics was shown once again at Memorial Stadium just weeks ago when 92,003 fans attended a Husker volleyball match on Osborne Field, setting a world record for the most attended women's sporting event.

Some of the greatest college football coaches of all time have called plays at Memorial Stadium, like former Congressman Tom Osborne and Bob Devaney. This season begins with the Matt Rhule era, and he got his first win in the stadium last week.

Congratulations to the university. Go Big Red.

Recognizing Bellevue Women's Club

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish the Bellevue Women's Club a happy anniversary as they approach 100 years in service.

In 1924, the Bellevue Women's Club began serving their community. By 1929, they were already taking on big projects like helping start the first Bellevue library and the city's first swimming pool.

Through their 100 years, this nonprofit has contributed their time and money to some of Sarpy County's most significant organizations and events, like the Arrows to Aerospace Parade, Habitat for Humanity, and the Ronald McDonald House.

Their club members' support for a wide array of organizations in Sarpy County is unmatched as they give back through the senior community center, Books for Babies, and the Bellevue Food Pantry. The scope of their work through the years is very impressive.

On behalf of Nebraska's First Congressional District, congratulations to the Bellevue Women's Club on their first century, and here is to the next.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to honor Battle Creek, Nebraska as they celebrate their

150th birthday. One hundred fifty years ago in August 1873, Battle Creek was founded. Sitting along the Elkorn River Valley in Madison County, Battle Creek has grown through the years, welcoming new families, businesses, and visitors.

With a population of a few more than 1,000 people, they exhibit the best of what small town Nebraska has to offer: A great quality of life, family-owned businesses, and great recreation. They're one of the first stops on the Cowboy Trail. And Battle Creek is proud of its community members--both new and old. One outstanding example is Rose O'Neill, the cartoonist who imagined the Kewpie Doll, which has gained fame around the world. As Battle Creek reaches this sesquicentennial birthday, there is much to celebrate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish David City, Nebraska a very happy 150th birthday.

August 6, 1873 marks the day David City was made the county seat of Butler County.

Since 1873, David City has grown and distinguished itself in many ways. Providing an excellent quality of life for their small town with exceptional education and job opportunities.

While David City is home to just about 3,000, it's the birthplace of notable people--like former U.S. Senator Roman Hruska; the founder of Hallmark cards, Joyce Hall; and Catholic Bishop Kenneth Steiner.

Major employers in the City include Timpte, ADM, and David City Public Schools among others.

David City is proud of its Catholic roots. Aquinas Catholic Schools educates many of the town's people and St. Mary's Church is almost as old as the town itself.

As David City reaches this sesquicentennial birthday, there is much to celebrate.

On behalf of the people of Nebraska's First Congressional District, I congratulate David City on 150 years and wish them fun as they celebrate this incredible milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today because we are at a crossroads in banking, FinTech, and finance.

Blockchain is a revolutionary technology that is going to change the way Americans do business. The question today in front of us is whether we would like America to lead that change or let somebody else take the reins.

We are planning on marking up two bills next week in the Financial Services Committee: one on digital assets market structure and the other on stablecoins. I am going to focus my remarks today on stablecoins.

I am not new to this subject. In the Nebraska legislature, I wrote and passed a bill that allows for banks in Nebraska to issue stablecoins--State chartered banks. This is an issue that I have worked on and cared about for years.

Since 2017, stablecoins have grown to $130 billion in market cap. That is the size of a multinational institution like Deutsche Bank.

We are not dealing with a theoretical conversation about stablecoins here. Stablecoins have already arrived. Whether you like them or not is irrelevant, Madam Speaker. They are here, and the question of the day is how to regulate them, not whether to regulate them at all.

Now that we have covered the basic need for this legislation, let's discuss a specific issue in the bill: how to treat State-regulated institutions that want to issue a stablecoin.

Our dual banking system is the envy of the world. It allows us to provide true regulatory tailoring, particularly for small community banks, in our country. Were we to move away from the dual banking system, were we to essentially gut the power and authority of the State banking regulators, like the Nebraska Department of Banking, it would be an absolute tragedy for our community banks.

I do not think there is a banker around that wouldn't stand up for the dual banking system. If you are a small bank in rural Nebraska, Madam Speaker, you shouldn't receive the same scrutiny as a GSIB, and if you are a small bank in rural Nebraska, you probably shouldn't share the same primary regulator as a GSIB either.

The dual banking system lowers burdens on banks, but it also ensures that our small institutions have a line of communication to the entity that regulates them. If every bank had to be regulated by the OCC, I don't know that the OCC would have the bandwidth to ensure every single, small bank in rural America gets the attention it needs relative to larger institutions. That is not a knock on the OCC, it is just reality.

Now that brings us back to stablecoins. Chairman McHenry's bill currently has a State pathway for stablecoin issuance. Shockingly, some of the same banking organizations that hail the dual banking system seem to have a different opinion when it comes to stablecoins.

Let me be very clear, if the Federal Reserve becomes the de facto regulator for all State regulated stablecoin issuers, it will prevent small and midsized banks across the United States from getting into the stablecoin market. It would fly in the face of regulatory tailoring, the very concept that has promoted our current system that allows for community banks to literally exist.

Our State regulators are more than capable of taking on this role. Those who argue for regulatory arbitrage miss the point; we already have a system in place that does this work. There is no reason for a State chartered bank in Nebraska that issues stablecoins to be regulated directly by the Federal Reserve when the Nebraska Department of Banking is equipped to do the job.

Further, the bill establishes a robust floor for stablecoin issuance. The most important part of that floor is the reserves. Under the bill-- and listen to this, Madam Speaker--under the bill, issuers must back a stablecoin with reserves one to one.

Let's think about that for a moment. If a consumer has one stablecoin at $1, the issuer must hold exactly $1 in reserve on that same stablecoin.

In other words, Madam Speaker, your money isn't going anywhere. The issuer cannot lend out your money, and they cannot invest it in risky assets for their own gain. They must hold it in reserve as ordered by this bill that is in front of the Financial Services Committee.

That requirement alone should go a long way to ease any anxieties over instability. The system itself has reserve requirements that aren't present in other parts of the financial market.

We are truly at a historic moment in the House. It is not often that we get the opportunity to build a new regulatory system from scratch. Regulating stablecoins is just that kind of opportunity.

It is imperative that we get it right so both the State charters and the Federal charters can issue stablecoins.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bryan Health on being named one of America's most trustworthy companies by Newsweek.

Bryan Health is a pillar of Nebraska healthcare, notably serving Lincoln and many communities around the State with locations in 45 of our State's 93 counties. Bryan cares for over 2,100 trauma patients a year.

Their work is helping grow Nebraska by ushering in the next generation. The Bryan Family Birthplace delivered more than 3,000 babies in 2022, including 58 sets of twins and three sets of triplets.

Now they are plowing new territory in behavioral healthcare. They report they are the first medical center in the Nation to have a designated behavioral health emergency department.

Bryan Health isn't just a business. They are a key community stakeholder, giving back more than $200 million of charity care last year.

On behalf of the people of Nebraska's First Congressional District, I extend our sincere congratulations to the team at Bryan Health. I thank them, and they should keep up the great work.

Columbus Community Building

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the City of Columbus on their new community building.

The Columbus Community Building is a $32 million project that will provide 75,000 square feet of space for housing a new Columbus Public Library, City Hall, City Council chamber, and community room.

This project, which took about 3 years, required over 150,000 hours of labor and 1 million pounds of steel.

Columbus is known as the city of power and progress, and their work over the last decade and a half is helping grow the community and setting it up for long-term success.

From their health department to the Columbus Wellness Center to their STEM program, the community is building the infrastructure they need to attract families and the workforce that employers rely on.

Since 2000, the community has grown about 15 percent as companies like BD Medical have invested millions to upgrade their operations.

Columbus, indeed, has a bright future ahead. On behalf of the people of the First Congressional District, I congratulate the City of Columbus, Nebraska, on their new community building and all their recent success.

Recognizing Colonels Thompson and Howard

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincere gratitude to Colonel Kristen D. Thompson for her service as Commander of the 55th Wing headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base.

Colonel Thompson recently completed her time as commander. During that time, the 55th Wing returned flight operations to Offutt after the base's runway was rebuilt.

I thank Colonel Thompson for her work and leadership through the years.

As Colonel Thompson transitions to New York, I also give a hearty congratulations and welcome to Colonel Mark Howard, who is now taking over.

Colonel Howard comes to the 55th Wing as a 22-year veteran pilot with almost 4,000 flying hours, 700 of those in combat.

Colonel Howard also brings years of experience as the 55th Wing's deputy commander, which will serve him well as he takes on his new role.

On behalf of the First Congressional District, I extend our sincere gratitude to both Colonel Thompson and Colonel Howard for their leadership of the 55th Wing.

Supporting the NDAA

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA is a pillar of the House Republicans' commitment to America in building a Nation that is safe.

Our U.S. servicemembers protect our country every day, and they deserve the best quality of life. This NDAA provides a much-needed pay raise, access to healthcare, and critical oversight, all while saving American taxpayers billions of dollars and making key investments in innovative technologies and our defense industrial base.

One of the most important facets of this NDAA: its provisions to counter communist China's aggression. It builds up projection forces, increases funding for essential military construction projects, and provides more funding for innovative new technologies needed to stop the CCP.

The NDAA makes critical investments in our national defense while

honoring the Fiscal Responsibility Act's spending levels.

It accomplishes this by capturing $40 billion of savings by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy.

This bill also ensures that the taxpayer dollars being spent in Ukraine have proper oversight. Under our NDAA, a new inspector general will direct and coordinate an audit of all aid provided to Ukraine by the United States.

Additionally, the NDAA protects our military from weaponization by liberal activists by stopping our DOD resources from subsidizing President Biden's Green New Deal and banning the military from teaching critical race theory.

I applaud the work of the committee in preparing this year's NDAA, and I strongly urge my Republican colleagues and friends across the aisle to come together and pass this critical legislation this week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of Nebraska's finest journalists, Don Walton.

Don has long been a trusted source of political news across Nebraska. He has a unique approach to his craft. He quietly builds relationships with people as he listens and grows trust.

During my time in the legislature and in Congress, I have worked with Don. He believes that people are never a means to a story, and he faithfully covers politics without engaging in them.

Over a week ago, Don surprised us all with his retirement announcement in his weekly column. He had shown no signs of stepping back, true to form. He did not make a spectacle of his farewell. In a brief open letter, he thanked his readers and encouraged and challenged them to be their best. He has had a 67-year career.

On behalf of Nebraska's First Congressional District, I honor Don for his service and his work. The way he treated people as he wrote about them will long stand as a testament to the value of local journalism.