Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages S1656-S1657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO JULIE BROOKER
Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, today I would like to recognize Julie
Brooker, my central Nebraska director of constituent services who
retired at the end of February.
Julie Brooker's service in the U.S. Senate began in 1997 and has
spanned three U.S. Senators from Nebraska: former Senator Chuck Hagel,
former Senator Mike Johanns, and myself.
Before her longtime work as a Senate staffer, Julie was a committed
and hardworking volunteer on a number of political campaigns.
She was well known as someone willing to haul yard signs all over
Nebraska's huge third district.
You see, a commitment to helping and serving others ran in Julie's
family.
Julie's dad, Gordon, served faithfully as a local volunteer
firefighter, and her mom, Doralene, served on both the Buffalo County
Board of Supervisors and the Nebraska Public Power District Board.
Their example instilled in her lessons in treating people with
kindness, listening to others' concerns, and lending a helping hand.
If you were planning a run for office in Nebraska, Julie Brooker was
someone you needed to go see.
When I decided to run for U.S. Senate, Julie was one of the first
people I visited with, and she was so very generous with her time and
her advice.
During her Senate career, Julie sacrificed many days, nights, and
weekends to serve the people of Nebraska well.
She was renowned for driving whichever U.S. Senator she was serving
at the time all over the third district.
In every county, Julie had many friends. Her genuine interest in
others and friendly, approachable demeanor were always on display.
Over the years Julie worked in my office, I was always completely
confident that she was representing me well and that my constituents in
Kearney and throughout the central region of the State were in the very
best of hands.
Whether it was through her tenacity in helping resolve casework, her
willingness to meet with any Nebraskan who crossed her path, or her
ability to provide tough news in compassionate ways, Julie has always
had a servant's heart.
Serving Nebraskans wasn't a job for Julie, it was a calling. She
loves Nebraska, and she loves Nebraskans.
I want to thank Julie's husband, Jim, for loaning Julie to the people
of central Nebraska for so many years.
I am also so very grateful to Julie's kids and grandkids for
sacrificing time with her so that she could put the time and energy she
had into this service to the people of Nebraska.
[[Page S1657]]
The city of Kearney, the State of Nebraska, and the U.S. Senate are
better because of Julie's wonderful work throughout the years.
She is a dedicated, committed person who focused on making life
better for Nebraskans.
She is truly one of a kind.
I congratulate Julie on her remarkable career in public service. I
thank her for her many years of service to our State and to our people,
and I wish her a retirement full of joy and fulfillment.
____________________
