UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN 3rd DISTRICT, NEBRASKA TOM OSBORNE

Washington Round-up | Week of April 11, 2005

Making A Difference: Building Nebraska’s Future

In his poem, “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost tells us of a journey in which a traveler came upon two roads diverged. The author decides to take the one less traveled by and in the end, this decision made all the difference. In my visits to high schools across the Third District, I often read Robert Frost’s verse to urge students to carefully think about the choices they will make after they graduate from high school and bear in mind that Nebraska offers many opportunities not often considered.

As they make their plans to attend college, seek technical training, enter the work force, or join the military—whichever the path may be, I encourage them to consider that a rewarding life in Nebraska can be part of their future. Each time I visit with Nebraskans, I learn of more and more good things that happen each day in our communities. And yet, life in Nebraska can be made even better if more young people decide to play a role in our state’s future. Nebraskans have a rich history in business success, but right now our population is decreasing as too many young people are leaving the state. It is not simply up to our youth to make the decision to stay in Nebraska. It is critical that as community leaders, educators, policymakers, parents, grandparents, and mentors, we work hard to dispel the notion that our brightest and most ambitious students have to leave Nebraska to find greater success.

One way to improve Nebraska is to ensure that small towns have diverse economies and opportunities for young people. Growing our own businesses through the efforts of entrepreneurs can help make rural Nebraska a better place to live. Nebraska already offers a multitude of benefits, which are especially advantageous to entrepreneurs. Our land is highly productive. Nebraska’s natural resources, especially the Ogallala Aquifer, are second to none. And in the future as the world’s population continues to grow at rapid rates, water and wide-open spaces will become even more valuable. We have a reputation of being caring, trustworthy, and generous people. Nebraska offers excellent educational opportunities, safe neighborhoods, and comfortable places to call home. And of great importance, Nebraskans know and care about one another and rally to lend assistance when a neighbor encounters hardship.

I realize that for many youth moving to a big city sounds exciting. I am afraid that many youth do not factor in the cost of living compared to that in Nebraska. $1,400 per month for an apartment is not at all unusual in many cities. In fact, according to the National Real Estate Relocation Guide, a person living in Columbus, Nebraska, making $30,000 per year, would need to make $47,336 in Denver; $60,903 in Washington, D.C.; and $100,813 in New York to enjoy the same standard of living.

In an effort to engage youth and help them learn from successful leaders in business and in their own communities, I will be hosting my annual Youth Leadership Forums in the upcoming weeks. Students from across the Third District have been invited to attend. I will open up each day’s event with a discussion about the fundamentals of leadership, highlighting the importance of character, spirituality, and a healthy living. Other featured speakers will focus on a variety of topics, including career opportunities in Nebraska, the benefits of running a business in Nebraska, and the consequences of choices made involving drugs and alcohol. The forums will be held in Hastings on April 18 and in North Platte on April 25.

In Robert Frost’s poem, taking the road less traveled by made all the difference. I share this story because I believe that to be true for many people working to achieve success in life. I also believe that to build Nebraska’s future, young people will make all the difference.