[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2019)]
[Senate]
[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.

                          ____________________