[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H7165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING PAUL KRATZ ON HIS RETIREMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a faithful public 
servant who served the city of Omaha for nearly 23 years.
  Paul Kratz, who led the city's legal department as the city attorney, 
retired last week to spend his days with his wife of 47 years, Diane. 
He is also a wonderful friend of mine.
  A 1975 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law, Paul 
oversaw a staff of 35, including 24 attorneys, and negotiated 
redevelopment agreements and managed litigation. Originally hired by 
former Mayor Hal Daub, also a former Congressman here, he served during 
the administrations of Mayor Mike Fahey, Mayor Jim Suttle, and current 
Mayor Jean Stothert.
  Mayor Stothert had this to say about Mr. Kratz:

       Paul has been an important adviser, negotiator, and 
     taxpayer advocate for more than two decades. He has guided 
     mayors and city councils to make decisions that make Omaha 
     the great and growing city it is today.

  Former Mayor Suttle said this about him:

       During my time as mayor, Paul Kratz always told me what I 
     needed to hear, not necessarily what I wanted to hear. Out of 
     this foundation came a strong relationship built on trust and 
     honesty. In addition, it made me a better mayor and a better 
     leader, especially as we led the city through the two major 
     tragedies of a potential bankruptcy and the devastating 2011 
     Missouri River flood.

  Former Mayor Daub said this:

       Paul Kratz brought unique skills and a love of public 
     service to Omaha city government. Always the gentleman, his 
     calm and pleasant demeanor provided stability in his well-
     managed office and earns broad agreement of admiring his 
     objectivity and wise advice. He understood and appreciated 
     the political ramifications of legal advice, the value of 
     compromise, and his insights and creative recommendations to 
     a multitude of tough issues were always helpful. His talent 
     and tenacity in public service is rare, and he will leave 
     very large shoes to fill.

  Paul Kratz may have been the man behind the curtain in negotiations, 
but his legacy will remain because of dozens of projects, including the 
CHI Health Center, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, the TD Ameritrade 
Park, and the College World Series contract.
  In addition, the legacy of service of the Kratz family continues with 
his children. His youngest son, Gregory Kratz, practices law in 
Fairbury, Nebraska, and also serves as an officer in the Nebraska Air 
National Guard. Jeff Kratz, his oldest son, serves as my legislative 
director and has worked for many years serving the needs of Nebraska 
taxpayers.

  Paul Kratz's dedication to Nebraska has touched countless lives, and 
his positive example has surely inspired another generation of his 
family to carry his torch for many years to come.
  We thank him for his dedicated service to our city and wish him the 
best in future endeavors.


               Recognizing Steve Nelson on His Retirement

  Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Steve Nelson, 
a man who has been at the forefront of Nebraska's booming agriculture 
industry and who retired on December 8 of this year as the president of 
the Nebraska Farm Bureau, a position he has faithfully served since 
2011.
  A farmer his whole life, Steve has produced irrigated corn, hybrid 
seed corn, and soybeans at his farm near Axtell in south central 
Nebraska.
  In his work with the Farm Bureau, both before and during his tenure 
as president, Steve has helped to secure farm bills and worked to 
reform and lower taxes to help protect farm and ranch families.
  He has also fought to bolster animal agriculture against those who 
want to end it and sought initiatives to grow Nebraska's livestock 
industry.
  While Texas and Nebraska may have had a rivalry on the football 
field, they also have held a rivalry in livestock. During Steve's time 
as president, Nebraska was ranked first for several years in commercial 
red meat production.
  Steve has also advocated for Nebraska's agriculture industry to other 
countries, serving as a delegation member to Denmark, Japan, South 
Korea, Belgium, and many others.
  I am sure his wife, Elma, a retired nurse, is looking forward to 
spending more time with her husband and is proud of the work he has 
done, as are his kids: Scott and his wife, Amy, who farm with Steve; 
and their daughter, Stacy, and her husband, Bobby, who live in Ashland. 
Sadly, their daughter, Sarah, passed away unexpectedly in 2006. Of 
course, his four grandchildren, I am sure, will spend more time with 
grandpa on the farm.
  I thank Steve for advocating and bolstering Nebraska's agriculture 
industry. I thank him for his friendship and his counsel.
  Madam Speaker, I wish Steve the best on his retirement from the 
bureau.

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