Mr. JOHANNS. Madam President, I rise today to honor the service of a dedicated leader in my home State of Nebraska.
Governor Dave Heineman has guided our State during the past 10 years with vision and with laser-like focus on efficient government, economic vibrancy, education, and protecting our families.
Under his leadership and careful management, our State held strong through the economic downturn. During that time, the national spotlight shown very brightly on Nebraska as one of the healthiest States, guided by Dave Heineman's very steady hand, to ensure we remain debt-free and fiscally sound. But the Governor did far more than hold the line on spending and balancing the books of our great State. He provided historic tax relief, bolstered education in our State, and he sent a signal worldwide that Nebraska welcomes new business through enhanced economic development incentives. It is not surprising that Nebraskans' enthusiastically elected and then reelected Dave Heineman to the post, giving him the proud distinction of being our longest serving Governor in the history of our State.
I had the privilege of working side by side with Dave Heineman back in my days as Governor of Nebraska. I was so proud to have him as my Lieutenant Governor in my second term, and I was always grateful for the job he did directing the State's homeland security efforts.
We would have to flip the history books back to 1990, nearly 25 years ago, to see when he was first elected to public office as a member of the Fremont, NE, city council. Four years later, he was elected to his first statewide office to serve as our State treasurer. I was mayor of the city of Lincoln at the time, and I enjoyed watching Dave step onto the statewide stage with enthusiasm and determination. He wanted to get things done.
Nebraskans would nod their head in agreement with the assertion that he remains as determined today, in the last days of his time in office, as the very first day he walked in.
I should note he first served the public as a member of our Armed Forces, having spent 5 years in the U.S. Army after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
As anyone can tell you, it is easy to spot those West Point influences even today. All of those experiences prepared him so well to serve as our Governor. I had absolutely no doubt about his ability to step into the role when I was confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. I passed the baton to Dave with immense confidence, and indeed he took the helm and never missed a beat. It is difficult to believe that was 10 years ago. I think both of us have a lot more gray hair to show for it, but we also have something more valuable than gold: the honor of having been entrusted to lead and to serve the best State of the United States. I know Governor Heineman has worked each day to prove worthy of that trust, as I have also. His nearly 25 years of distinguished service required strength of character and fortitude.
Throughout that service and long before it began, Dave has had a wonderful partner in his life, Sally Ganem. Our First Lady is impressive and accomplished. She is a woman in her own right, having served as principal of an elementary school and now leading numerous volunteer and literacy efforts. She has supported Dave every step of the way on a public service journey that offers a shining example for others to follow. Thus, it is fitting that we have never before had a Governor whose service spans 10 years, and we may never have that again.
On behalf of a grateful State and a grateful nation, I offer my sincerest gratitude for the dedicated leadership Governor Heineman has provided to our great State of Nebraska.
I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.