[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 74 (Monday, May 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S3821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO WALTER SCOTT, JR.

 Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, on the occasion of his 
79th birthday, I want to take this opportunity to honor fellow 
Nebraskan Walter Scott, Jr. for his exceptional business and civic 
leadership and his significant contributions to the telecommunications, 
construction, and mining industries, as well as his community, State, 
and country.
  Walter began his distinguished career at Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc., 
formerly Kiewit Construction, working during the summers for Kiewit's 
construction operations, where his father also worked. In 1953 after 
earning his civil engineering degree from Colorado State University, he 
became an engineer for Kiewit in Omaha. A year later, Walter joined the 
U.S. Air Force as an air installation officer, inspecting military 
construction projects. Upon returning to Kiewit after his service, 
Walter excelled in the company, being elected to the board of 
directors, then becoming vice president in 1964. In 1979 Walter was 
named president and, later that year, succeeded Peter Kiewit as 
chairman of the board.
  Over the next decade, Walter used his leadership and keen insights to 
advance Kiewit and develop the company to its full potential. 
Foreseeing the needs of society, Walter began diversifying the 
company's investment to include mining, energy, and telecommunications 
interests. By 1992 this expansion had led to the division of Peter 
Kiewit Sons' Inc. into two major subsidiaries: Kiewit Construction 
Group, continuing the company's historical excellence in construction 
and mining; and Kiewit Diversified Group, later renamed Level 3 
Communications, focusing on high-speed fiber optics networks and 
geothemeral powerplants. Kiewit is now a Fortune 500 company and is a 
recognized industry leader.
  To this day, Walter remains engaged in the industries he helped to 
shape, continuing as director and chairman emeritus at Kiewit and 
serving as chairman of the board at level 3. Walter's numerous 
contributions to business have been acknowledged with dozens of 
accolades, including the Horatio Alger Award, the Golden Plate Award 
from the American Academy of Achievement, and induction into the 
Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.
  Beyond his notable accomplishments in business, Walter's civic 
service and philanthropic contributions have enriched Nebraska and left 
a lasting impact on our home State. In 1996 Walter helped create the 
Peter Kiewit Institute, working with the University of Nebraska to 
provide tomorrow's leaders in information science, technology, and 
engineering with an unparalleled education. Walter has also given his 
service to numerous community and nonprofit organizations, including 
Creighton University, Joslyn Art Museum, Boys & Girls Club of the 
Midlands, Omaha Development Foundation, Omaha Zoological Society, and 
Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation. Additionally, I have had the 
pleasure of serving with Walter as a member of the Open World Board of 
Trustees, providing international leadership and building multi-
national relationships to effect positive change in Eurasian countries.
  In closing, Walter Scott's illustrious leadership and generous 
service has strengthened his community, state, and country. On behalf 
of our fellow Nebraskans and Americans, I thank Walter for his 
innovation and leadership and wish him the best for the future.

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