BEATRICE – Gage County Board Chairman Erich Tiemann asked for a moment of silence at the start of Wednesday’s Gage County Board meeting in remembrance of fellow board member Dennis Byars, who was laid to rest Tuesday.  Byars, a long-time county supervisor and the area’s longest-serving state senator, passed away last Thursday at the age of 81.


"He was a unique voice here with a lot of unique perspectives for a lot of years. He spent almost 40 years in public service, but beyond that I think he literally spent longer than that campaigning and caring about the people in our area. He'll definitely be a presence we miss for a long time, here."


Byars was serving as a county supervisor in Beatrice-based District 4, at the time of his death. He served on the county’s equalization and building and grounds committees. He was serving his second stay on the Board of Supervisors.


The Legislature, as the body was in the final day of its 60-day session, also paid tribute to Byars and former Congressman and State Senator Brad Ashford who passed away Tuesday. Senator Myron Dorn serves in the 30th District seat Byars occupied for so many years.


"Denny enjoyed being out in the town he loved, flashing his smile, shaking your hand and sharing an encouraging word to brighten your day. He was once asked, if you could live anywhere else, where would that be? His reply was....Beatrice...I want to be able to walk down the street and see and visit with the people I know. We join with his wife Janet, their sons, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and other family members and all the people he knew, to celebrate a long life, well-lived, in service to others."


In Byars and Brad Ashford, Dorn said…"For the State of Nebraska to have two servants that did as good a job as they did...we are so, so lucky to have them...and we thank both of them for giving their time and their family, to serve this great state."


Nebraska lawmakers were wrapping up a 60-day session on Wednesday marked by major tax cut proposals and important water resources initiatives, among others.