RSS
The year was 1943. The Nation was at war. Washington, DC was expanding as President Franklin D. Roosevelt carried out his duties as Commander in Chief.
Americans cultivated “Victory Gardens” to grow their own food as war- time rationing limited many goods they were used to enjoying including gasoline. Gasoline only cost 15 cents a gallon but people were limited as to how much they could buy.
They would save up their gasoline rationing coupons and take family vacations when they could and Washington, DC, as it is today, was one of the popular destinations especially with the new Jefferson Memorial that was dedicated in 1943.
A Historic Vacation
As they continue to do to this day, in 1943 Nebraskans who vacationed in our Nation’s Capitol were there to see historic landmarks and to visit with their Senators and Representatives. That was the year that Nebraska U.S. Senator Hugh Butler came up with the idea of inviting visiting constituents to join him and his Nebraska colleagues at their weekly informal get-togethers and a unique Nebraska tradition was born… the Nebraska Breakfast.
Now in its 66th year, the Nebraska Breakfast is the oldest gathering of its kind in Washington providing the opportunity for visitors to meet and speak with all five members of the delegation each week when Congress is in session. Nebraska also has the distinction of being the only state in the Nation that provides this opportunity for its residents.
I’ve always enjoyed the give and take these weekly breakfasts offer. Nebraskans have a chance to introduce themselves, tell us why they are in Washington, and what issues are of particular concern to them. All five members of the delegation are able to respond to their issues, tell them what we’re working on that particular week and offer some insight as to what they might expect.
They Really Are Breakfasts
The breakfasts are informal, fun and filled with a few bad jokes, and they really are breakfasts. We used to hold them in the Dirksen Building’s Cafeteria but this year switched to the new Visitors Center in the Capitol Building. The meetings are free. Your only cost is for the continental breakfast. You can order a complete breakfast, something light, a cup of coffee or you can just show up to enjoy the company of your Congressional Delegation and other Nebraskans who are visiting Washington.
Now that the summer vacation season is in full swing, if your plans take you to Washington I hope you think about attending one of our breakfasts. The Nebraska Breakfasts are held every Wednesday when Congress is in session at 8 a.m. Eastern Time, in the South Meeting Room of the Capitol Visitors Center Restaurant. These are the remaining dates through the summer; June 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29; and September 9, 16, 23, 30.
Please contact any member of our delegation at least one week in advance to make a reservation and confirm the location of the breakfast. My office telephone number is 202-224-6551. You may also visit my website for more information www.bennelson.senate.gov.
Be Sure to Bring Your Camera
This is an opportunity to get pictures of the entire delegation in an informal setting that dates back to 1943. Up close and personal interaction between constituents and members of their Congressional Delegations like this are rare among many other states. But, this is Nebraska where we share many of the same values as well as a common bond that keeps people in sparsely populated states close.
I hope to see you in Washington this summer.
###
Search: Families, Speeches, Op-Eds, Columns