Erdman Edition: My Utmost Thanks

I would like to take the opportunity to express what an honor it has been to serve as state senator for the 47th Legislative District for the last eight years.

Being your state senator gave me the opportunity to be the voice of the great people who live in our district. I knew the challenges facing rural communities in western Nebraska and the need for an active voice to speak on their behalf in state government. Without your willingness to become involved and your concern over the important issues before the Legislature, the task would have been much more difficult. It is even more humbling that you entrusted me with this responsibility despite my age and elected me as one of the youngest members in the history of the Legislature.

I firmly believe that a representative government works best when citizens have access to their elected officials. I worked hard to live up to my promise to be accessible to you, throughout the year but especially during the legislative session. I appreciate the sacrifice you have made with your time and your willingness to attend the "Forums with Phil" which I hosted. I am also grateful for the letters, emails, and calls to my office to ask questions, raise concerns, and hold me accountable for the decisions I made.

Over my two terms, there have been many difficult issues and I have always done my best to represent the values and beliefs that led you to elect and re-elect me. You elected me to do the people's business and I did that to the best of my God-given abilities. I have said repeatedly and believe very firmly, the best ideas don't come from Lincoln; they come from individuals across the state and specifically our district willing to step up and promote what they believe are the solutions for our state. As you elect our next state senator, it is important to be informed on the issues, to get to know the candidates, and to vote for the one who you believe will best represent our interests.

Being a state senator is a great responsibility, but it does not define who you are. It is not who I am; it is what I do. The Legislature will refine you, and some days it's like iron sharpening iron, but this is not who I am. I am a husband, a father, a Nebraskan.

Though the 2008 Legislation session was my last, I remain in office through January 6, 2009. I will continue to work on issues and oversee the work of the Agriculture Committee, as Chair, and would encourage you to remain involved in the discussions on issues and interim hearings that will be held between now and next session.

My office in Lincoln is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm (MST), excluding holidays. You can contact my Lincoln office either by mail: Sen. Philip Erdman, District 47, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604; by email: perdman@leg.ne.gov; or by phone (toll free): (866) 800-7445.

Again, it is an honor to represent you in the Nebraska Legislature and I thank you for your willingness to read these columns this session and during my terms as your State Senator.