Monday was the start of the Legislature’s First Special Session to address redistricting. It is stacked up to be a lively session, with many contentious debates. This week’s column will discuss the two proposed congressional maps. One was introduced by Senator Linehan, (LB 1) and the other by Senator Wayne (LB 2). Simply put, LB 1 is a better map for our district, since it keeps Otoe County whole, while LB 2 divides Otoe County between two different congressional districts.

Many opponents to LB 1 say that it is unacceptable to split Douglas County between two congressional districts because it would split the City of Omaha. However, Douglas County is not a sacrosanct entity that can’t be divided, while rural counties have to pay the price. Otoe County has never been split between congressional districts in the entire history of Nebraska being a state. Historically, when Otoe County moved to a different congressional district, it moved as a whole, not in pieces. This gives it just as much right as Douglas County to claim that it cannot be split because of historical precedent.

Another significant part of redistricting is keeping together communities of interest, which means keeping people together who share common goals and passions. Unlike Douglas County, Otoe County is a distinct community of interest. It is primarily an agricultural community, and it has agricultural interests that are unique from the rest of the state. From the highest number of vineyards and wineries per capita to apple orchards and sawmills, and with similar socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, Otoe County’s unique cohesiveness means it should be in one congressional district as a whole under the redistricting guidelines the Legislature passed earlier this year in Legislative Resolution 134.

This is in stark contrast to Douglas County. Douglas County has a large population with many distinct communities of interest within the county. Past legislatures have recognized this in their maps. Our current Public Service Commission maps have Douglas county divided, while Otoe and the rest of our district are not. The same is true for the current State Board of Education maps. These maps are in use right now, and there have not been any complaints about them.

If we want to draw a map that keeps communities of interest intact, it makes the most sense to split Douglas County, not cohesive, rural counties that make up whole communities of interest like Otoe County. That is why I prefer Senator Linehan’s LB 1 map to Senator Wayne’s LB 2 map. I look forward to continuing to fight for the voices in our district, and make sure that everyone here and across the state is fairly and accurately represented. Debate this week will cover all proposed redistricting maps. It promises to be a fiery debate, and I’ll keep you updated along the way.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

On August 27th, Governor Ricketts signed a proclamation calling the Legislature into a special session for the purposes of enacting legislation to redistrict different boundaries across Nebraska. This includes the boundaries for the Supreme Court judicial districts, the Public Service Commission districts, the boundaries for the members of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska and the State Board of Education, and our Legislative and Congressional districts. 

Thus, the Legislature will convene on September 13th for a very busy special session. This column will outline the redistricting process in Nebraska and what to expect in the coming weeks.

Much of the work done during this special session will be conducted by the Redistricting Committee, and they have already met a few times prior to the special session to adopt their guidelines and analyze data. This committee is made up of nine senators from all across the state and was appointed by the Executive Board of the Legislature. By the time the Legislature convenes on the 13th, the committee will have a redistricting plan for all seven maps ready to introduce.  The maps will be available for the public to view before the start of the special session.

After they are introduced, the maps will have three public hearings, where residents from all across the state will have the opportunity to share their input on the redistricting plan. The first will be at Central Community College in Grand Island on September 14th at 1:30 pm, the second will be at the State Capitol on the 15th at 9 am, and the third will be at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha on the 16th at 10 am. You can find more information about these hearings at http://news.legislature.ne.gov/red/meetings-and-hearings/. 

Like all legislation, the committee will take a vote on each map and send it back to the Legislature for three rounds of debate (General File, Select File, and Final Reading). The maps have to be approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor to be implemented for the next election cycle. Redistricting maps are in effect for ten years at a time, and a lot has changed in our state since our last redistricting in 2011. 

Redistricting has traditionally been packed with fierce and heated debates, especially when it comes to legislative and congressional districts.  We are already planning on working many late nights, and going into the weekends. I will work hard to ensure rural Nebraska, especially Southeast Nebraska, continues to be fairly represented in district boundaries.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

In the past 17 months, we have faced many challenges to our freedoms as Americans. At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the entire United States went on lockdown as governments haphazardly determined which businesses were “essential” and could remain open. Nebraska ended all statewide restrictions early into the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, there are new trends across the United States that are concerning, and many people are reaching out to the Legislature asking what can be done to keep their freedoms protected.

Vaccine mandates have arrived and spread like wildfire across our country. Many Nebraska businesses and private universities are requiring employees and students to get vaccinated. Healthcare entities, such as CHI Health, are requiring proof of vaccination to continue working at their facilities. During a public health crisis and pre-existing staffing shortage, medical personnel are being forced from their professions and protesting to take a stand for their individual liberties. 

The Department of Defense issued a vaccine mandate impacting military personnel in all branches and President Biden mandated vaccines for nursing home staff, putting Medicaid and Medicare funding at risk for those who do not comply. Biden’s nursing home mandate is especially concerning, as it could lead to more entities receiving federal funds being forced to require vaccines.

There are many issues with vaccine passports. It takes away the individual’s right to make their own healthcare choices. Some people might have valid concerns about the vaccine. Others may have been told by a doctor that it would not be the best option for them. Either way, demanding documentation of this sort sounds like something coming out of a George Orwell novel, not from a nation that is known for protecting our freedoms. President Trump was one of the first Americans to choose to be vaccinated in January, and I chose to be vaccinated in April. I chose to get the vaccine after studying the science, balancing both the risks and benefits.  If the President of the United States and other government officials have the freedom to make their health care decisions, it’s unconscionable for those same government officials to take that freedom away from our citizens.

Vaccine passports are not the only COVID-related facing our state and country. Just a couple of weeks ago, on July 27th, the CDC announced a new recommendation that fully vaccinated people begin wearing masks indoors again in places with “high COVID transmission levels.” In this announcement, they also recommended that students of all ages require masks when they return to the classroom this fall.

I remain opposed to vaccine and mask mandates. Masks and vaccines should always be a personal choice, not something that the government can require. The Legislature is looking to address this government overreach next session. First, we will work on passing Senator Ben Hansen’s LB 643, which would protect the right to accept or decline a vaccination under a mandatory directive. We will also be looking into other ways the law can reign in mask and vaccine mandates in other areas.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

Sportswriters will spend the next few years picking apart the best moments of this year’s Olympic Games. In spite of all that seems to divide us, we can all unite every few years to support our heroes on Team USA. Nebraska had several medal-worthy moments during the Games, but none shone brighter than Jordan Larson’s performance on the last day of competition.

Jordan Larson, hometown of Hooper, NE (pop. 830), grew up like many girls here in Nebraska. She idolized the Nebraska volleyball team and dreamed of one day being a Husker.

Jordan’s dream came true. In 2006, she scored the winning point for Nebraska in the National Championship game. I was ten years old and watched on ESPN with the girls that would be my high school volleyball teammates at Auburn. We bought headbands like Jordan wore and peppered volleyballs, realizing girls from small towns could dream big and grow up to be Husker volleyball stars.

Jordan kept dreaming and playing. Her professional volleyball career took her around the globe. Teammates nicknamed her “The Governor,” both for her leadership skills and dedicated following of Nebraskans who would attend her matches in every country. Jordan always took time to sign autographs and talk with fans who came to see her play.

Last weekend, Jordan took the last swing of her career on the biggest stage in the world. She scored the winning point for Team USA’s first-ever women’s indoor volleyball Olympic gold medal. It was also the gold medal that topped China in the final medal count of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Jordan Larson retires as one of the best players ever to step foot on a volleyball court. You wouldn’t know it if you met her, though. She’s still a Nebraskan at heart, with a work ethic and humble attitude that keeps her grounded while living an extraordinary life. Jordan Larson is a Nebraska Legend, both on and off the court. 

Practices for fall sports are already underway across middle schools and high schools. The familiar thuds of a volleyball game will soon remind us of fall and the quickly approaching winter. The Husker volleyball team looks strong this year, but then again, when doesn’t it? Just as consistently as John Cook always seems to put together a solid team, little girls in Nebraska will discover the game of volleyball. Players at every level could learn from Jordan Larson’s path from Hooper to Olympic gold in Tokyo. We all could.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

Last week, while traveling through Valentine, Nebraska on a quick road trip to promote financial literacy resources, I made a supper stop at the Peppermill & EKV Lounge. Notably, the sign outside the restaurant had a timely advertisement. It said the following: “EVERYONE IN TOWN IS HIRING FYI.” 

Nebraska has one of lowest unemployment rates in the country. The Nebraska Department of Labor reported that the Unemployment Rate for June was a mere 2.5%. Low unemployment is the cornerstone of a solid economy, but we have a problem in Nebraska: we don’t have enough people to fill the good-paying jobs available. 

Our state is taking steps to address our workforce shortage. We have several programs in place to help keep talent in our state. The first program is the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Career Scholarship Program. This program awards aid to Nebraska community colleges and Nebraska private nonprofit postsecondary institutions. With this extra funding, these schools can provide scholarships to students pursuing degrees in targeted, high-need fields with labor shortages. Through this program, community college students may be awarded up to $5,000 a year for up to 3 years, and private nonprofit postsecondary institution students may be awarded up to $10,000 a year for up to 4 years.

Next is the Career Scholarship Program offered by the Nebraska State College System. This program allows students studying certain programs to obtain academic scholarships ranging from $2,000-$10,000 per year. This program allows Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State students to get their degrees at an affordable cost while also providing on-the-job career experience through internships and other experiential learning opportunities. 

Through these two Career Scholarship Programs, students are encouraged to stay in Nebraska and help serve our more rural communities. However, more needs to be done to address our workforce shortage in both the short- and the long-term. I introduced LB 594 last year, aptly named the “Rural Workforce Crisis Act.” My office is working with employers, economic development groups, educational institutions, and labor interests to craft a final version of the bill to take another step in addressing our workforce shortage.

My advice for recent high school graduates: don’t go into debt at a four-year university “deciding what you want to do with your life.” Go to a trade school, community college, or state college to complete a high-need degree or certificate in a trade without debt. You can always “figure things out” while making $100k+ at a high-need job. Don’t miss your opportunity in this labor market!

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

This week’s column will highlight a few of my bills that passed into law in 2021.

First, LB 152 was signed into law on May 5 and loosened restrictions on fireworks. In our district, hundreds of people would flock to Missouri each year to purchase the larger fireworks that they wanted. This has led to Missouri making nearly eight times as much firework revenue annually as Nebraska. The passage of LB 152 will keep Nebraskans from being labeled criminals for possessing bottle rockets. Now, we are free to celebrate the Fourth of July how we want to, without fear or breaking the law! 

Second, I introduced LB 327 this year, which will require a semester of financial literacy for students to graduate high school. This bill was amended into Senator McKinney’s LB 452 and was approved by the governor on May 25. Both LB 327 and LB 452 addressed the financial issues that our young Nebraskans face. With this bill becoming law, students will now be able to access an introduction to critical financial literacy fundamentals and will start off their lives as independent adults on better footing. 

Two of my bills, LB 403 and LB 593, passed quickly through the Legislature with nearly unanimous support, but that does not mean that they are not important. LB 403 offers better protections for Nebraska citizens against Medicaid liens and LB 593 addressed issues that our state had in recognizing foreign-country money judgments. Both bills were introduced to fix some of the kinks in our current law and were signed by the governor on May 5 as part of LB 501, a package full of non-controversial bills.

Last but not least, my personal priority bill for this session was Senator Briese’s LB 139, which prohibits frivolous COVID-related lawsuits. This law provides general liability protections from COVID-19 lawsuits for a broad range of individuals and organizations. These include, but are not limited to, restaurants, medical centers, and churches. Across the country, we are seeing individuals sue small businesses for exposing them to the coronavirus.. LB 139 will prevent civil action as long as the business was acting in compliance with federal public health guidelines in place at the time of the alleged exposure. The governor signed this bill into law on May 25.

It was an honor to pass these bills while representing the greatest district in Nebraska. I look forward to seeing these bills benefit Nebraskans in the years to come.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

Financial literacy is one of the most important skills a child can learn. Two bills were introduced this session to ensure that every graduate of Nebraska’s schools has the skill set necessary to make responsible financial decisions. My bill, LB 327, added a one-semester personal finance class as a statewide graduation requirement. LB 327 was amended into Senator McKinney’s LB 452, which encourages age-appropriate financial literacy concepts to be taught at all levels of K-12 education. LB 452 passed near the end of session and was signed into law.

Passage of LB 327 and LB 452 are massive victories for personal finance education in Nebraska. Students graduating high school need to make one of the largest financial decisions of their life– whether to attend college or go into the workforce. According to the Federal Reserve, student loan debt in the United States is $1.7 trillion dollars. Now, students will be able to access an introduction to critical financial literacy fundamentals and will start off their lives as independent adults on better footing. 

The Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office also provides many helpful free financial literacy resources for students, teachers, and parents.

EVERFI’s is used by more than two million K-12 students and is available to Nebraska school districts and educators at no cost. The program uses game-based lessons to teach students life skills through fun, scenario-based learning and includes courses in Financial Literacy. You can reach this resource at: https://everfi.com/k-12/parent-remote-learning/.

The Nebraska NEST Financial Education Center provides a short, interactive learning experience that prepares Nebraskans with the right skills to manage their financial future. You can explore options on how to invest in your future, or you can review financial basics. This resource can be reached at https://nest.everfi-next.net/welcome/collegesavings-achieve.

With the passage of LB 452 and resources like EVERFI and NEST, we can be sure that our students are on the right path towards a successful financial future.

My tour of office hours and town halls will kick off at the start of July. I’ll be joining Governor Ricketts for a town hall in Nebraska City at the Lied Lodge at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 1. This town hall will cover the Nebraska Department of Education’s controversial proposed sex education standards (which begin sex education at kindergarten) and how you can help stop them. I’ll also be hosting a town hall in Auburn at the Rural Impact Hub on Friday, July 2 at 5 p.m.. This town hall will wrap-up the 2021 legislative session and preview both the 2021 special redistricting session and 2022 legislative session. If you’d like to chat with me one-on-one about an issue, I’d encourage you to come to my office hours. This week, I’ll be holding office hours at Gospel Coffee in Brownville on July 2 from 3-4 p.m. I’ll be announcing more town hall stops and office hours across District 1 in the coming weeks and would encourage you to attend!

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

This past session, the Legislature passed LB 406 to create the Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability Special Committee, better known as the “STAR WARS” Committee. LB 406 was introduced by Senator McDonnell, and the committee will study potential flood control projects and related economic development opportunities in Nebraska.

The STAR WARS Committee will conduct a study of different areas around the State of Nebraska to identify potential projects and opportunities to enhance the value of those areas through economic development, tourism and recreation, flood control, and water sustainability. These projects would use federal funds, which are coming into the state with certain requirements attached. While I’d like to see these funds returned to taxpayers directly through tax relief, these are usually conditions attached to federal funding which prevent that from happening.  Using these funds for one-time expenditures, such as for new or improved recreational opportunities, could grow tourism in our state and take some pressure off in-state taxpayers for generations to come.

Nebraska has many beautiful areas that are worth exploring and attract many visitors across the country. In our district alone, we have Indian Cave State Park, which provides beautiful views of the Missouri River and a great escape into nature. The findings of the STAR WARS Committee could lead to even more areas like this in District 1.

The STAR WARS Committee includes Sen. Brandt from Plymouth, Sen. Clements from Elmwood, Sen. Flood from Norfolk, Sen. Gragert from Creighton, Sen. Hughes from Venango, Sen. McCollister from Omaha, Sen. McDonnell from Omaha, Sen. Wishart from Lincoln, the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, and the Speaker of the Legislature. These senators represent Nebraskans all across the state, and they’re ready to get started brainstorming ideas for across the state. 

That is where you come in. Since the STAR WARS Committee is looking to explore new and improved recreation options, I need your thoughts. What do you think would be the best recreation project for our district? Would it be better to have a larger lake in our area, or better camping facilities in our current parks? More park development along the Missouri River? Our district has so much to offer when it comes to natural beauty, and it is important for the STAR WARS Committee to consider projects to grow tourism in our corner of the state. We don’t want to miss the boat on this once-in-a-generation opportunity!

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

The Legislature adjourned Sine Die (Latin for “without a future date specified”) last Thursday, May 27, and with it, the first regular session of the 107th Legislature came to a close. This week’s column will begin a multi-week review of the session’s highlights.

This year’s budget is easily the most impactful piece of legislation passed this session. The biennial budget is always a key part of our long sessions, and our Appropriations Committee and full Legislature were able to pass a fiscally-responsible budget that benefits the entire state, including our district. A large part of this budget puts a record $1.7 billion towards property tax relief in this biennium. The budget also increased and restructured funding to our Nebraska State Colleges, which will greatly benefit Peru State College. Last, but not least, the budget put $725 million dollars in Nebraska’s reserve fund for financial stability. The budget was signed by Governor Ricketts on April 26.

Besides the budget, many solid bills were passed by the Legislature in this session. The bills range from property tax reform, cutting taxes for our citizens, and funding broadband infrastructure across our state. 

High property taxes are the biggest hurdle to Nebraska’s long-term growth. Apart from giving more money to the Property Tax Credit Fund, the first session of the 107th Legislature worked to address our property tax system. LB 2, introduced by Senator Briese, will change the valuation of ag land for the purposes of school district taxes levied to pay school bonds. This bill will shift the cost of school bonds away from owners of farm and ranch land. Also, Senator Ben Hansen introduced a “truth in taxation” bill, LB 644, which will require certain political subdivisions to hold a joint public hearing before increasing their property tax requests. These political subdivisions will also have to notify affected taxpayers of any scheduled hearing. With the approval of LB 644 on May 24, political subdivisions will be required to provide additional transparency for property taxpayers across our state.

Also in the realm of taxes, two bills were signed into law that cut taxes for many Nebraskans. LB 387 was introduced by Senator Brewer and will exempt 100% of military retirement pay from taxes. This makes Nebraska an attractive living option to those that have served our country in the military. LB 387 was signed by the governor on May 25. Senator Lindstrom introduced LB 64, which will phase out Nebraska’s tax on Social Security income by 2030. LB 64 was passed toward the end of session.

The 107th Legislature also invested a record amount in expanding rural internet access through LB 388, which was signed into law on May 26. Under LB 388, the Public Service Commission will administer grants to fund qualifying broadband development projects in under-served areas. This bill appropriates $20 million annually beginning this upcoming fiscal year to the Public Service Commission for the grants. Improving broadband access and reliability in rural Nebraska is a critically important factor to growing our economy. 

It’s been the privilege of my lifetime to serve you, District 1, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work for you and our region as a whole. Please stay tuned as I schedule my traditional series of town hall discussions across District 1 to wrap-up the 2021 session and hear your priorities for 2022. During the interim, my columns will be sent out every other week, rather than weekly. 

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov. 

As Memorial Day approaches, it’s imperative to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have given their lives in service of our country. This week’s column is dedicated to a Nebraska hero: Medal of Honor Recipient, Army Combat Medic, and Lincoln Native, Charles Hagemeister, passed away on May 19, 2021 at the age of 74 in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Hagemeister was born in Lincoln on August 21, 1946, and grew up in our state. He attended Lincoln’s Southeast High School and was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 while on break from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Hagemeister was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 20, 1967. Medals of Honor are awarded for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” Hagemeister absolutely fulfilled this requirement, and his Medal of Honor citation best explains the events of that day. 

“While conducting combat operations against a hostile force, Sp5c. Hagemeister’s platoon suddenly came under heavy attack from three sides by an enemy force occupying well-concealed, fortified positions and supported by machine guns and mortars. Seeing two of his comrades seriously wounded in the initial action, Sp5c. Hagemeister, unhesitatingly and with total disregard for his safety, raced through the deadly hail of enemy fire to provide them medical aid… Attempting to evacuate the seriously wounded soldiers, Sp5c. Hagemeister was taken under fire at close range by an enemy sniper. Realizing that the lives of his fellow soldiers depended on his actions, Sp5c. Hagemeister seized a rifle from a fallen comrade, killed the sniper, three other enemy soldiers who were attempting to encircle his position, and silenced an enemy machine gun that covered the area with deadly fire. Unable to remove the wounded to a less exposed location and aware of the enemy efforts to isolate his unit, he dashed through the fusillade of fire to secure help from a nearby platoon. Returning with help, he placed men in positions to cover his advance as he moved to evacuate the wounded forward of his location. These efforts successfully completed, he then moved to the other flank and evacuated additional wounded men despite the fact that his every move drew fire from the enemy. Sp5c. Hagemeister’s repeated heroic and selfless actions at the risk of his life saved the lives of many of his comrades and inspired their actions in repelling the enemy assault. Sp5c. Hagemeister’s indomitable courage was in the highest traditions of the Armed Forces and reflect great credit upon himself.

President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Hagemeister with the Medal of Honor in the Pentagon on May 14, 1968, nearly a year after the events took place. Hagemeister continued to serve our nation until his retirement in 1990, after achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. After his retirement, he served on the board of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Fortunately, Charles Hagemeister survived the events of March 20, 1967, and the entirety of the Vietnam War. He got to go on and live a long, fulfilling life. Not only that, he risked his life to make sure his comrades got to live long, fulfilling lives as well. However, not all of our servicemen and women make it back home.

Many Americans see Memorial Day as a three-day weekend spent barbecuing, but we need to remember the importance of this holiday. It is a day to honor and extend gratitude to the men and women who died while serving our country. There are many ways that we can honor the lost, from local events hosted across District 1 to a simple moment of prayer. Each year on Memorial Day, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. At this time, Americans, wherever they are, can take a minute of silence to remember those that paid the ultimate price to protect our nation. Wherever you may be this Memorial Day, please remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.