Kent Conrad: “I rise today to pay tribute to and recognize the achievements of Senator Ben Nelson, who, like me, will be leaving the…”

“I rise today to pay tribute to and recognize the achievements of Senator Ben Nelson, who, like me, will be leaving the Senate at the end of this year. I consider Senator Nelson, who has represented Nebraska in the Senate since 2000, a friend and an excellent colleague. Senator Nelson has had a long and impressive career, spanning both the private sector as well as State and Federal Government service. After graduating from law school at the University of Nebraska, Senator Nelson spent roughly two decades working in the insurance industry, both as a legal practitioner and in leadership roles at the Central National Insurance Group, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and the Nebraska Department of Insurance. It was upon this impressive background that Senator Nelson launched his career in public service when, in 1990, as a moderate Democrat, he was elected Governor of Nebraska. As a testament to his dedicated service and popularity, he was reelected to a second term in 1994 after garnering nearly three-quarters of the vote. Nebraskans then sent him to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Senator Nelson was reelected in 2006 in a landslide. Nebraska and my State of North Dakota share a great deal in common. Both States are populated by residents who value hard work and who possess an independent streak that places pragmatism above partisan politics.…”