Book explores Norris legacy

Dr. Gene Budig, left, shakes hands with Teri Shipshock of McCook during a book-signing event at Sehnert's Bakery Friday afternoon. (McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Dr. Gene Budig and Don Walton, a political writer for the Lincoln Journal Star, have written a book recently released, "George Norris, Going Home: Reflections of a Progressive Statesmen."

Budig told the nearly full room at the Bieroc that the manuscript for the book was written many years ago on a manual typewriter and buried in the attic of the Budigs' Charleston, South Carolina home. Budig's wife, Jennifer, found the manuscript and encouraged him to have it published.

Budig and Walton were given the opportunity to interview Ellie Norris, George W. Norris' wife, six times for two to three hours each time. The book is written from her perspective as she observed the senator's political career and subsequent return to McCook after losing his bid for re-election.

Budig told the crowd that it is his and Walton's belief that Norris could not be elected to any political office today because Norris had a strong conviction that the people of Nebraska elected him to vote his conscience and he firmly stood behind that principal. "Now, most politicians wait and see what the polls say and then decide on issues. Norris voted his convictions," Budig said.

Budig, a 1957 graduate of McCook High School, has signed over any royalties from the sale of the book to the Norris Foundation.