Background
Schimek, DiAnna Ruth Rebman was born on March 21, 1940 in Holdrege, Nebraska, United States. Daughter of Ralph William and Elizabeth Julia (Wilmot) Rebman.
Schimek, DiAnna Ruth Rebman was born on March 21, 1940 in Holdrege, Nebraska, United States. Daughter of Ralph William and Elizabeth Julia (Wilmot) Rebman.
Associate of Arts, Colorado Women's College, 1960. Student, University Nebraska, Lincoln, 1961. Bachelor magna cum laude, University Nebraska, Kearney, 1963.
Schimek was elected in 1988 to represent the 27th Nebraska legislative district and reelected in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. In 2007, she sat on the Business and Labor and Urban Affairs committees as well as the Committee on Committees and chairs the Government, Military and Veterans" Affairs. Schimek was largely responsible for the enactment of Nebraska"s method of apportioning electoral votes in presidential elections by congressional district (see Electoral College (United States): Congressional District Method).
She has described the system as "one that I think will energize the electorate and perhaps even bring more candidates to Nebraska, although certainly that wasn"t the overall selling point that I used."
She left the legislature in 2008.
In September 2011, Schimek was appointed to replace Jane Snyder, who resigned for health reasons, on the She took her seat on October 10, 2011, and represents an at-large seat.
Democratic National committeewoman, 1984-1988. Chairman Nebraska Democratic Committee, 1980-1984. Member executive committee Democratic National Committee, 1987-1988.
Past president, secretary board directors Downtown Senior Center Foundation, 1990-1996. Member executive board Midwestern Legislation Conference, 1995-2009, co-chair health and human services committee, 1995-1996. Executive director Nebraska Civil Liberties Union, 1985.
Former board directors Nebraska Repertory Theater, Exon Foundation, 1997-2000. Member advisory board Martin Luther Home, 1997-2003. Chair Midwestern Legislation Conference Council of State Governments, 2000-2001, co-chair committee intergovernmental affairs.
Member Midwest Interstate passenger Rail Commission, 2001-2005. Member executive board Council State Governments, 2000-2009. Chair NCSL Task Force on Initiative and Referendum, 2001-2002.
Board directors Habitat Humanity, since 2006, board president, 2011. Member National Conference State Legislators Women's Network (board directors 1993-1996, 1st vice chairman), Philanthropic and Educational Organization, Mayflower Society, Delta Kappa Gamma (honorary), Mortar Board (community advisor 1998, honorary), Rotary International, Ponca Tribe (honorary, North-East Applessed board member 2009, Prairie Could Homes secretary, board member 2009, Heritage Nebraska board member 2009), National Trust History Presentation (advisory council member 2009-2010), Creater People Need (board member 2010).
Married Herbert Henry Schimek, 1963. Children: Samuel Wolfgang, Saul William.