George Norris' birthday -- a reason to celebrate

On the 141st anniversary of his birth, new generations are discovering the greatness of the highly esteemed, nationally known lawmaker from McCook: George William Norris.

That fact will be evident this evening when admirers of the late, great senator gather in McCook for a birthday tribute to the man called "The Gentle Knight of Progressive Ideals."

After a 5:30 p.m. cake and ice cream social at Norris Park, the crowd will head for the basement of the McCook Public Library, located across the steet on the northwest corner of Norris Avenue.

There they will see a very well done video program by Tabetha Lux, a student from the Fort Robinson area near Crawford, Neb. The show, which features many vintage pictures, tells about Norris' 15-year legislative crusade to bring electricity to rural America.

Before the Rural Electrification Administration was established in 1935, less than 10 percent of the rural homes in America had electricity -- and that was only because they were close to cities with electrical systems.

But after the advent of REA, changes came quickly. By 1950, more than half the homes in rural America had electricity, and by 1980, the total had grown to 98 percent.

Rural electrification alone would have sealed Norris' place in the history books. But that was only one of his many accomplishments. He also led the successful campaign to create the Tennessee Valley Authority, and was the principal proponent of the establishment of Nebraska's one-house Legislature.

Norris also helped pass the 20th (Lame Duck) Amendment to the United States Constitition. That was the amendment which shortened the time gap between congressional elections and the first meeting of the newly elected Congress. The amendment reduced the influence of defeated members of Congress, who were known at the time as "lame ducks."

Born in Sandusky County, Ohio on July 11, 1861, Norris studied law at Valparaiso University and moved to Beaver City, Neb. in 1885. After being named District Judge, he moved to McCook, and was living here in 1902 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ten years later, in 1912, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, and continued to serve until being defeated by Kenneth Wherry in 1942.

Two years later -- in 1944 -- the senator died, leaving one of the greatest legislative legacies in the nation's history. He is described in the World Book Encyclopedia as "one of the great independent politicians of American public life. During his 40 years in Congress, he ignored party politics to fight for whatever he believed was right."

We are proud that George W. Norris called McCook home, and honored that a new generation of Americans are recognizing his great accomplishments.