Weekly Column

Recently, massive wildfires destroyed hundreds of square miles of grazing land in Kansas and Oklahoma. The Anderson Creek fire started on March 22 in northwestern Oklahoma, and it quickly spread north to the neighboring Sunflower State. In less than a week, nearly 400,000 acres of prairie and ranch land went up in flames.

There are many ways to say “hello.” Along the dirt roads of Kenya, people greet one another with “hodi.” Deep in the mountains of Turkey, locals welcome you into their home by saying “merhaba.” In Baku, Azerbaijan, you will hear exchanges of “salaam” while wandering through the medieval walled city. Traveling west on the volcanic islands of Indonesia, “halo” is the polite custom to recognize a friend. The sheer number of languages and unique cultures across the globe is both fascinating, and remarkable.

Wide-open spaces, grazing cattle in rolling pastures, and efficient feed yards cover Nebraska’s landscape. We are “The Beef State.” Our delicious products are the best in the world. They are found on dinner tables from New York to Tokyo, and many places in between. Because Nebraska’s producers are committed to delivering safe and high-quality beef, they continue to reach new consumers around the globe.

The United States is facing a severe opioid and heroin epidemic. The over-prescribing of painkillers has led to a surge in demand for heroin and other narcotics. This deadly addiction is making its way out of the shadows and into the mainstream. American families are losing sons, daughters, parents, and friends to overdoses and ruined lives. To respond to this national crisis, we need to come together and heal the nation.

In December of 2013, a woman named Kari Hunt was attacked in her Texas hotel room. Her 9-year-old daughter tried desperately to call 911. Like millions of American children, Kari’s brave daughter was taught to dial 911 for emergency assistance. Since they were in a hotel room, however, the call did not go through. Hotel phones, like those in offices, often require people to dial “9,” followed by 911.

During my time in the U.S. Senate, I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Recently, I visited with 20-year-old Skylar Simmonds of Millard, Nebraska. Unlike many people her age, Skylar was not visiting the Capitol on a school trip or as a stop on her “must see” list. Instead, she made her way to the Senate as a representative for an organization very dear to her. For the past five years, Skylar has been an active athlete in Special Olympics Nebraska (SONE).

During this month’s state work period, I was glad to be back in Nebraska. I spent the week visiting local residents in many communities, including Blair, South Sioux City, Norfolk, Columbus, Stromsburg, Seward, Arlington, and Fremont. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Nebraskans. Your thoughts, concerns, and input continue to guide my work in the U.S. Senate.

For years, North Korea has been determined to sustain its regime through intimidation and reckless behavior. From nuclear and ballistic missile tests to cyberattacks, the belligerence of Dictator Kim Jong-un demonstrates that this rogue nation is a serious threat to the region and U.S. national security.

On a recent trip to Offutt Air Force Base, I visited with military leaders and the airmen of the 55th Wing. Offutt is home to many critical resources and plays a vital role in defending our nation. I was there to continue my work with military leaders and receive updates on improvements to the base’s runway. These conversations revealed the positive progress taking place. We are blessed to have this military installation here in Nebraska.

Nebraska has a rich and powerful history of answering the call to serve. For nearly 150 years, our state has witnessed this bravery in each of America’s wars. The past decade is no different. Time and again, the men and women of Nebraska have risen to defend our precious freedom in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the globe.