Good Luck, John Atkinson!

"You can either give up, or continue to fight. I've got a beautiful wife and three kids. I will never quit fighting."

The above quote was from Lincoln, Nebraska native, John Atkinson. He recently won an essay contest sponsored by Golf Digest, USGA, and NBC Sports to find one amateur golfer to play the U.S. Open course. The winner would play in a foursome with three celebrities: NBC anchor Matt Lauer, singer Justin Timberlake, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Atkinson's best friend, Terry Beutler wrote the essay and sent it to Golf Digest, and only afterward did he tell Atkinson he had written it and sent it.

Here's what Beutler wrote: "Can I break 100? No. Do I want the chance? Yes, but not for me. You see, my best friend since sixth grade was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer last April. He has never smoked, and it's just one of those life things. He is a wonderful father, husband, friend and son. Last summer he had a double treatment of chemo and walked 18 holes the next day and shot a 76. He's a 5-handicap. The statistics aren't on his side, but, like John says, they have never done a study of 100 John Atkinsons."

Golf Digest has an incredible story about Mr. Atkinson and I encourage all of you to take some time and read it. You can read it here!

Mr. Atkinson, your strength and courage in the face of such an extreme challenge is an inspiration to us all and I know I speak for all of Nebraska when I wish you the best of luck in the tournament!

First things first...

Hello friends! My name is Shane Osborn and I welcome you to my new blog. 

For those of you who might now know, I grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska, attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a Naval ROTC scholarship, spent 9 years in the United States Navy as an EP-3E pilot, am married to an incredible woman named Teri and have three beautiful children, Avery, Isabella, and Addison.

In 2006 I was elected Treasurer for the great state of Nebraska and it was one of the most rewarding moments of my life. Public service is a duty I take very seriously and this blog represents my effort to not only stay better connected with my Nebraska constituents but to provide you, constant reader, with some insight about the issues I hold dear. Sometimes those issues might be state related, other times it could deal with topics on the federal level, and there will probably even be some posts about my son's little league games and some Monday-morning quarterbacking during the upcoming Husker football season.

In other words, this blog will be about everything and anything.

If you have the time, feel free to send me an email and I promise I will do my best to respond to you as quickly as possible. Thanks again for stopping by and please be sure to check back often for updates!

~~~The Osborn Family