LINCOLN, Neb. -- It was around 11:00 a.m. on Monday when Gov. Jim Pillen was presented a painting by local artist Nita Whitney of Auburn.

This art piece was done in response to Gov. Pillen’s inauguration, as it is titled:  ‘A New Dawn, A New Day’. 

“The inspiration for this painting came from a flyer I saw,” Whitney said. "It flashed across Gov. Pillen's website talking about opportunities for the future. His values match with my husband and mine, and I was inspired.” 

Whitney was surrounded by friends and family while the paintings were being presented. This included a special member of the audience. 

“I have a daughter with cognitive delays,” she said. “In this day in time, I may have been told by doctors to abort and I am very glad that I never did that.” 

Beckie Orsack, Whitney's daughter, has cognitive delays. She was able to make the trip up from her group home in Tarkio, Missouri; to watch her mom receive a high honor for her artwork. 

“This is my first time meeting him [the governor],” said Orsack. “We get to spend the day with him.”

Overall, a fantastic day for this family as their artwork will be displayed, for the Nebraska eye to see.

“I felt like it represented Nebraska; a new dawn, a new day, a new governor,” Nita said. 

From News Channel Nebraska, I am Andrew Pfeifer, reporting.