Amidst the partisanship and political showmanship that too often mark the culture of Washington D.C., you might be interested to know that a collaborative, bipartisan, and uniquely Nebraskan tradition endures on Capitol Hill.

On Wednesday, February 24, Nebraska’s two U.S. Senators and three Congressmen joined many Nebraskans visiting Washington at the first 2010 “Nebraska Breakfast.”  The Nebraska Breakfast is a 67 year-old tradition begun by Senator Hugh Butler in 1943.  The idea behind this gathering was - and continues to be - that members of the Nebraska delegation, Republican and Democrat, meet informally each week of the congressional session to visit with each other and Nebraska guests. 

A great idea became a lasting tradition.  Today members of the congressional delegation take turns chairing the event, which entails making logistical preparations and hosting each week’s breakfast.  This year Senator Mike Johanns is the chair.

The Nebraska breakfast is an extraordinary opportunity for representatives to share thoughts and ideas with each other as well as fellow Nebraskans.  It is also a truly unique practice on Capitol Hill.  Many state delegations rarely, if ever, meet together with their constituents.  The fact that Nebraskans do so weekly reflects our state’s rare heritage of both fierce independence and the cooperative spirit.

If you are in Washington this year when Congress is in session, I strongly encourage you to make the Nebraska breakfast a part of your itinerary.  This year Nebraska breakfasts are held on the following dates: February 10 and 24; March 3, 10, 17, and 24; April 14, 21, and 28; May 5, 12, 19, and 26; June 9, 16, 23, and 30; July 14, 21, and 28; and September 15, 22, and 29. 

The breakfast begins at 8 am eastern time and is held at the The Senate Buffet in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, First Street and Constitution Ave., NE, in Washington, D.C. For more information and to make plans to attend, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at 202.225.4806.