David Landis portraying U.S. Senator George W. Norris

Former Nebraska State Senator, David Landis

David Landis will provide a vibrant historical character portrayal of United States Senator George W. Norris.

Sen. Norris saw the need for and shepherded the enactment of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). These two historic pieces of legislation gave rise to rural electric cooperatives and public power. Landis will explain why some elements of the politics surrounding these important issues in the 1930's are still very much alive today.

While Norris had an impressive legislative resume, he also gained the reputation of having outstanding character. He was not afraid to take unpopular stands on important issues. Norris never calculated the odds and party leaders could not intimidate him or dissuade him. Sen. Norris was able to
put partisan politics aside and be motivated only by the public good.

 

 

Mike Schlappi

Mike Schlappi

Keynote speaker Mike Schlappi has an inspiring message for every American, young or old: "Just because you can't stand up, doesn't mean you can't stand out." As president of Mike Schlappi Communications, and confined to a wheelchair, he is spreading that word to audiences ranging from students to chief executive officers, from rookies to Olympic champions, and from small gatherings to major conventions.

At the age of 14, Schlappi was student body president and an Eagle Scout, and was dreaming of a career as a top American athlete when he was involved in a tragic shooting accident. Doctors told him he would never walk again, but after months of rigorous therapy, he began playing basketball from his wheelchair and went on to become an athletic standout.

Schlappi is a four-time Paralympic Medalist and two-time World Champion in Wheelchair Basketball. The only wheelchair basketball player in the United States to be on four consecutive summer Paralympic teams, Schlappi was honored by the state of Utah in 2000 as one of its Top 50 athletes of the past century.