“I am very proud to have the endorsement of Democrats for Life. I am excited to be associated with a group who, like me, holds a consistent ethic of life,” said Jim.

The organization cited Jim’s consistent and passionate support for pro-life issues in making the endorsement.

Visit Democrats for Life .

When: This Friday! Parade starts at 1:00 PM, please line up at 12:15

Where: Line up at 79th and Lakeview St.

Come march with Jim in one of Nebraska’s biggest 4th of July celebrations. The time has come for Ralston’s Independence Day Parade.

The parade takes us from 81st and ‘Q’ to the intersection of 73rd and Main St. The Esch Team will be lining up at 79th and Lakeview St. (see map below) Our parade entry is #18. If you happen to have any problems finding us just ask a parade official where #18 is.

We suggest parking west of 84th around businesses such as Don & Millie’s.

Here’s 79th and Lakeview St:

View Larger Map

And here is the parade route:

View Larger Map

In case you missed the opening and want to get involved, our office is at 2529 S. 90th Street, just north of 90th and Center. Stop by or give us a call at (402) 991-3050 and join our grassroots campaign.

T-shirts are now available at our headquarters for a suggested donation of $10.

Here’s some more ways you can get involved:

- Become a Team Esch captain. For more information, e-mail Matt Scanlin (matt@jimesch.org)

- Host an event for Jim. Contact Karlee Coleman (karlee@jimesch.org)

- Donate to the campaign. Monday, June 30, is an important fundraising deadline. We need the help of all our supporters to fuel this campaign. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.

The way in which this petition is being presented to people is misleading. People are being asked to sign a petition to end race and gender discrimination in Nebraska.

But the petition really intends to amend the Nebraska Constitution to prevent race, ethnicity and gender from being taken into account in hiring, scholarship or contract decisions made by public agencies.

In order for this initiative to appear on the Nebraska ballot in November, organizers of the petition need to collect 111,000 signatures. To prevent this, the Jim Esch Campaign strongly urges citizens of the Second District NOT to sign the petition.

For more information and articles about the petition, you can click here to visit the Nebraskans United website.

Joe Sibilia

Esch for Congress
Communications Director

Photo of Jim attending the press conference. (Photo courtesy of Preston Love, Jr.)

I would also like to commend the Little Sioux community and all of the volunteers, the first responders and all those involved in the rescue efforts from both Iowa and Nebraska.

Donations for tornado relief can be made to the Salvation Army at Salvation Army. or to Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross at Red Cross.

I applaud the efforts of the emergency personnel and first responders who provided for the safety of those affected by the storm. The community will recover and rebuild with the help of all citizens of Omaha.

Throughout our campaign in 2006 we discussed change and brought new voters and young people into the process. In 2008, Barack Obama has turned out record numbers of new voters and young people to support his campaign. Tuesday was a historic day for the United States, and I am proud that he is the nominee of our party for President. I look forward to being on the same slate with Sen. Obama in the upcoming general election and serving in Washington with him next January.

Jim watches Senator Obama confirm his nomination with Kris Pierce, Executive Director of the Douglas County Democratic Party, and Jim Cavanaugh of Yes We Can Nebraska at an impromptu celebration in downtown Omaha on Tuesday night.

Stop by our victory party tonight at Barrett’s Castle @ 43rd and Leavenworth. The celebration starts at 7:00pm!

Also, you may contact the Douglas County Election office at 444.VOTE (8683) or the Sarpy County Election Office at 593.2167.

However, while I made this error, the bigger mistake is that we do not have representatives in Congress who lead. They simply respond to situations. In particular, they lack the vision and the will to address tough problems head on. I will provide that sort of leadership on this issue and many others.

Washington has forgotten this simple, but powerful value. Elected leaders seem more content on preserving power for themselves than governing by that common purpose. I promise that as I seek out solutions, I will remember this lesson learned long ago.

I am amazed by the fact that the issues that were relevant two years ago are still on the table today. Frustration with our political process is easy to comprehend when so many lack health insurance, our energy prices are skyrocketing, wages are falling and we continue our occupation of Iraq. But I don’t want to talk about the bad news. I want to talk about solutions that we as a community and Nebraskans can offer to these problems.

It will not be easy. There will be those who say we cannot make a difference. However, we will prove that we can and we will. To that end, I am asking you to join me and do three simple things:

1. I ask for your vote. I consider your vote as your empowerment for changing the direction of our country. I don’t take that lightly. We have a primary on May 13th, and I encourage you to participate and make your voice heard.

2. For a campaign to be successful we must invest our time, our energy and the resources available to us. I am asking you for all three. Whether it is volunteering time with the campaign, with a community organization, donating your money (which is always appreciated), or spreading word to your friends, family and acquaintances, we must have the operation in place to communicate our message.

3. Encourage others. By doing this we will grow our capacity to create the change that we desire. I am sure you’ll agree, we can accomplish so much more together than we can separately.

We are at a crossroads in American history — not just the fact that we may elect our first woman or African-American President, but that we must change the direction our country is headed.

Two years ago, I ran a race that many dismissed for being non-conventional. We worked around the clock to prove the naysayers wrong by empowering people and utilizing a grassroots strategy.

To me, a grassroots campaign starts with the candidate’s ability and desire to go out and meet with people from all walks of life. We met people at their kitchen tables, in their break rooms, at restaurants and in gymnasiums. We met with a common purpose to create positive change in our government. Although we came up short in the final vote count, we came up winners in what we accomplished in the process.

I believe our elected officials should lead through service to others and our community. It is an ethic that we as Nebraskans share with one another and my campaign has and will continue to embody this creed.

Last election, we hosted events ranging from Habitat for Humanity, to a blood drive for the Red Cross, to collecting canned foods and money for the Siena Francis House homeless shelter. We will continue to support community groups who work to make Nebraska the kind of place we want to call home. We don’t do this for a photo-op or a news story. We do this because we believe that together we can do, and accomplish so much more. This is the greatest difference between my Republican opponent and me.

It is never an easy decision to put one’s self into the public eye and run for office. Having been through that challenge two years ago made me appreciate the desire and dedication that it requires.

Thank you for all your support. Together we will ensure that America’s greatest days are still ahead of her.

Join me and other supporters at my kick off event on Wednesday, April 2nd 6-8 pm at the IBEW on 89th and L.

Lastly, thank you to all who gave so generously of their time, talents and money in 2006. It was sincerely appreciated. In 2006, we surprised a lot of people with our showing. In 2008, we will finish what we started!

I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail.

Jim