Senator John McCollister & Deb McCollister Are Patrons at the Nebraska Sierra Club Harvest Moon Banquet

Senator McCollister and his wife Deb participated as patrons at the 2017 Nebraska Sierra Club Harvest Moon – “The Year of the Eclipse” – Banquet on November 10 in Omaha. A highlight of the evening was the presentation to Senator Ernie Chambers of a Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was given in recognition of Senator Chambers’ record-long career in the legislature and his efforts to protect Nebraska’s mountain lion population.

A Visit to Westgate Elementary School

On October 30 Senator McCollister joined students, teachers, school administrators and his fellow state senators for a program that highlighted the reading program at Omaha’s Westgate Elementary.

State Senator John S. McCollister Sponsored a Property Valuation Protest Information Session

An information session about the Douglas County annual valuation protest process was held on Tuesday, June 6 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Westside Middle School Auditorium at 8601 Arbor Street in Omaha. Property valuations received much news coverage this year. Consequently, state and county office holders hosted this information session, which was of particular interest to individuals whose property is valued at more or less than its market value. Hosts for this informative program included Senator McCollister; Douglas County Commissioners James Cavanaugh, District 2; P.J. Morgan, District 4; Mary Ann Borgeson, District 6; and Clare Duda, District 7; and Douglas County Clerk/Comptroller Daniel Esch.

Also on the program was a discussion, with Q&A, about the city of Omaha’s resurfacing program for “substandard” streets, and the provisions of LB 159 by Senator McCollister which extend repayment periods to 20 years.

Sunset Hills Elementary Students Play Bunny Ears and “Where in the World is Senator McCollister?”

Legislature Oks stiffer penalties for human trafficking

Senator McCollister joined introducer Senator Patty Pansing Brooks and other supporters at a press conference to celebrate the passage of LB 289 to increase sentences for human traffickers. With the enactment of this new law, Nebraska will have some of the strongest penalties in the country. LB 289 will help ensure that people convicted of sex trafficking can’t avoid prison time.

Bunny Ears Again From Mary Our Queen Students

Senator McCollister with Derek Miller, City of Omaha Planning Department, and Director Mark Brohman, Environmental Trust

The Nebraska Environmental Trust 2017 Grantee Seminar and Luncheon

This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to meet grant recipients and learn about their environmental projects.

The Nebraska Environmental Trust was established to conserve, enhance and restore the natural environments of Nebraska. A prosperous future requires a sound natural environment.  The Trust complements existing activities, stimulates private investment and emphasizes long term gain. The Trust also leads in the development of a vision of Nebraska’s future environment, and collaborates with public and private efforts to achieve that vision.

Senator McCollister, Lincoln Senator Patty Pansing Brooks and sculptor Ben Victor are pictured with a clay model of the 11 foot depiction of Ponca Chief Standing Bear, a champion of human rights and freedom in Nebraska.

 Senator Pansing Brooks is to be commended for co-chairing a 2016 fall campaign that raised $9.6 million to commission the sculpture for Nebraska’s Sesquicentennial celebration this year.

 Ben Victor is the artist in residence at Boise State University in Idaho. He drove from Boise to Lincoln pulling a trailer behind his pickup truck. Inside the trailer was the sculpture of Chief Standing Bear, whose 1879 trial established that Natives are “persons within the meaning of the law.”

 The clay model of Chief Standing Bear will be cast into bronze at a foundry in Lander, Wyoming before being placed at a permanent location on Centennial Mall in Lincoln.

Senator McCollister was pleased to be invited back again this year to present his “Nebraska Facts” program to Mrs. Madsen’s class at Westside Middle School.

TeenPact alumna Nora Olsen and student Taber Olsen met Senator McCollister during TeenPact Day at the Capitol. TeenPact trains young people to be leaders who will impact the nation and world. This was Taber’s first visit. Nora Olsen returned for a second visit this year.

In March Senator McCollister joined District 20 constituents and library staff at the annual Nebraska Library Association’s Legislative Luncheon.

Senator McCollister & 4th Graders From Willa Cather Elementary Enjoy Spring Sunshine on the Capitol Grounds

Senator McCollister and Montclair Elementary Students Enjoy Their Visit to the Capitol.

Senator McCollister receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Young Nebraskans in Action (YNA)

For his support and help to improve the quality of life – especially those of immigrant families in Nebraska.

Young Nebraskans in Action (YNA), formerly known as the Dreamers Project Coalition, is the beginning of youth organizing themselves by building relationships to work together to create solutions for community issues.

On March 16 Senator McCollister joined members of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for

lunch and a discussion about this compelling issue.

Senator McCollister touring the     Capitol with Buffalo Bill.

On March 1 Nebraska kicked off its 150^th birthday celebration at the Capitol with some pomp and ceremony. There were special guests, music and speeches. Actors brought to life three famous Nebraskans – author Willa Cather, Ponca Chief Standing Bear and western entertainer Buffalo Bill Cody.