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Annual Norris Institute Breakfast honors Sen. George Norris
McCOOK Neb. - The ArtBank in McCook served as a gathering place for community members today as they came together for the annual Norris Institute Breakfast. This year's event featured Charlyne Berens as the guest speaker, who shared her insights on Nebraska's unique legislative system.
The breakfast began with the introduction of Heritage Days royalty, including Beckett Hesket, Molly Grace Larington, Amelia Minary, and Joshua Wilkinson. Attendees applauded these young leaders alongside the Heritage Days Parade Marshal Mitch Gross, CEO of the McCook YMCA, who was also recognized for his contributions to the community.
Charlyne Berens, a retired associate dean and professor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) College of Journalism and Mass Communications, captivated the audience with her presentation. Having retired in 2014, Berens previously taught courses in writing, reporting, and editing, as well as an honors seminar on the First Amendment. From 1976 until 1990, she served as the editor and co-publisher of the Seward County Independent before joining UNL. She is the author of two books on the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature and two political biographies. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from UNL.
"I remember hearing about Senator Norris from my grandpa decades ago; he was a rock, Republican. And as you know, Senator Norris described himself as a fighting liberal. Well, my grandpa remembered him as a really good guy, a fine public servant, somebody you could really trust, even if he didn't always agree with him. So that was my first introduction to Senator Morris." Berens shared.
During her presentation, Berens discussed the significant transition from a bicameral to a unicameral legislature in Nebraska, emphasizing the pivotal role played by George Norris in advocating for a nonpartisan and transparent system dedicated to better serving the public. Established in 1937, Nebraska's unicameral system has maintained its commitment to transparency, including public hearings for bills, which have earned praise despite some ongoing criticisms.
The session concluded with a thought-provoking question from an attendee about continuing and honoring George Norris's legacy, ultimately leading to a call to action for increased citizen involvement in the legislative process.
The Norris Breakfast honored the past and inspired attendees to proactively shape the future of Nebraska's legislative landscape in the spirit of George Norris.