Honoring the life of Nebraska community leader Howard L. Hawks.

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

Resolved, 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.