Summertime: The Celebration of Tradition

Summertime: The Celebration of Tradition
by Congressman Jeff Fortenberry

The weather's hot, rain is hard to come by, and the sweet corn's just about ready. Summer's off to another racing start in Nebraska! And with it comes numerous community celebrations across the state. While Congress has been busy with legislative work, it's been great on weekends and holidays to participate once again in some of these wonderful Nebraska summer traditions.

As we travel to different communities across eastern Nebraska, I am always impressed by the cultural and geographic diversity of our great state. We are home to a remarkable physical landscape and a rich cultural heritage, and our communities do a wonderful job celebrating the uniqueness of our time and place in history.

Recently I joined the community of Seward for its heralded Fourth of July celebration. Seward is Nebraska's "Official Fourth of July City," and if you have ever been there on the Fourth, you will surely know why. The community goes out of its way to celebrate our nation's independence. A grand parade, fine crafts and local food stands, and a spectacular fireworks show keep the brick-lined streets of Seward's historic downtown full with townspeople and tourists all day long. It's a wonderful tradition - this year was Seward's 138th Fourth of July celebration.

I've also had the pleasure of participating in other unique Nebraska traditions of late: the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, Ponca State Park in Ponca, and Nebraska City's Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Lewis and Clark Visitors Center.

Beatrice's Homestead National Monument of America commemorates the Homestead Act of 1862, one of the most significant events in the westward expansion of our country. The monument aptly memorializes the courage, sacrifice, and determination of some of our earliest settlers, as well as the celebrated history of Native Americans. During Beatrice's annual Homestead Days last month, we helped welcome the Director of the National Park Service, Fran Mainella, on her first visit to the Homestead National Monument.

Near Ponca stands an extraordinary piece of new artwork at the entrance of Ponca State Park. The Park itself is truly a state treasure, and the new memorial "Towers of Time" appropriately recognizes the area's cultural and geographical uniqueness in a manner worthy of its natural beauty.

Down the Missouri River in Nebraska City, earlier this year we celebrated the community's Arbor Day tradition and honored the Arbor Day Foundation in Congress for its outstanding stewardship work. Last year I introduced legislation to convey the Lewis and Clark Visitors Center in Nebraska City to a non-profit organization that was involved in its founding. I recently provided testimony in support of the bill at a subcommittee hearing.
The proposed change would help ensure that future generations have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating Lewis and Clark Expedition.

From Ponca to Beatrice and Seward to Nebraska City, Nebraska is full of natural wonders and delights and I greatly enjoy the season's opportunities to share in the fun with families and to visit with constituents. As you and your family venture out for a summer vacation or make plans to do so, I hope you will consider our home state's many attractions. And as summer continues, I hope to see you as we continue to celebrate great Nebraska traditions at many more community events and celebrations.

http://www.house.gov/list/speech/ne01_fortenberry/wc_060710.html