February 25, 2025
Mr. Ricketts (for himself and Mrs. Fischer) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
Honoring the life of Nebraska community leader Howard L. Hawks.
Whereas, in 1935, Howard L. Hawks (referred to in this preamble as Hawks
) was born in Carleton, Nebraska;
Whereas, in 1987, Hawks co-founded Tenaska Energy, where Hawks served as—
(1)
Chairman and CEO until 2010; and
(2)
Chairman until 2022;
Whereas Hawks grew Tenaska Energy from a small business out of Omaha, Nebraska, to 1 of the largest private companies in the United States;
Whereas Hawks remained active in Tenaska Energy even after transitioning to Chairman Emeritus in 2022;
Whereas, through his dedication to the community around him, Hawks served as—
(1)
a Regent at the University of Nebraska for 18 years; and
(2)
a Board Member of Creighton University for 12 years;
Whereas, among his many philanthropic efforts, Hawks transformed the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in both athletics and academics and, in 2023, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln honored Hawks and his wife with the Regents Medal to recognize their contributions;
Whereas Hawks supported various efforts and projects across the University of Nebraska system, including—
(1)
Howard L. Hawks Hall;
(2)
a business ethics and leadership chair for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business;
(3)
Kiewit Hall for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering;
(4)
the Hawks Championship Center and Hawks Field at Haymarket Park for University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletics;
(5)
Baxter Arena and the baseball and softball complex for University of Nebraska-Omaha Athletics;
(6)
the renovation to the Durham Science Center for University of Nebraska-Omaha;
(7)
the Tim Hawks Chair in Cancer Prevention and Population Science in the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health;
(8)
the Rhonda and Howard Hawks Movement Disorders Fellowship in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Neurological Sciences;
(9)
the Sharing Clinic, a University of Nebraska Medical Center student-run clinic; and
(10)
student scholarships;
Whereas Hawks served on the executive committee for Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities
, a fundraising campaign conducted from 2005 to 2014 that raised $1,800,000,000 in private support for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and
Whereas Hawks’ philanthropic commitment extended well beyond the University of Nebraska system, supporting initiatives addressing homelessness and mental health, and supporting education and the arts: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
(1)
has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Howard L. Hawks;
(2)
honors the life and legacy of Howard L. Hawks for his unwavering dedication to Nebraska as a civic leader and philanthropist; and
(3)
respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Howard L. Hawks.