Don Bacon

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 18 wordsI rise today to recognize Sue Morris, a leader and a true champion of community transformation in Nebraska.Thanks Claims · 233 wordsFor 25 years as president of Heritage Omaha, she shaped the culture and civic landscape of our region.¹ Under her leadership, the organization realized over $1 billion of community projects and raised more than $750 million in private philanthropic funds.² From the Holland Performing Art Center and the Joslyn Art Museum to the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Baxter Arena and Charles Schwab Field, her work has transformed our community.³ Sue’s approach to philanthropy is to always focus on stewardship, ethics, and deep community impact. She mastered the art of aligning a donor’s unique passion with a meaningful public need, viewing herself not just as a fundraiser but as a facilitator for the common good. Her recent work represents what she calls the crown jewel of her professional life. As president of the Veterans Trust, Sue spearheaded the development of the new Ambulatory Care Center at the Omaha VA Medical Center, ⁴which serves thousands of veterans across Nebraska and western Iowa. The Ambulatory Care Center was the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership under the landmark legislation known as the CHIP-In for Veterans Act, ⁵which Sue helped shepherd through Congress. Her efforts on behalf of veterans continue to see the CHIP-In for Veterans Act become the permanent pathway for construction of veterans’ healthcare facilities through public-private partnerships.⁶ After leaving Heritage Omaha in 2020, Sue served as an adviser at Nebraska Philanthropic Trust until retiring in July 2026.⁷ Positioning · 21 wordsToday, Sue remains a vital force in our community, driven by a simple and enduring desire to make a positive impact.Positioning