[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1358-S1359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 97--HONORING THE LIFE OF NEBRASKA COMMUNITY LEADER 
                            HOWARD L. HAWKS

  Mr. RICKETTS (for himself and Mrs. Fischer) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 97

       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

[[Page S1359]]

     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.

                          ____________________