Senate Resolution Honors Legacy of Nebraska Business Titan Howard L. Hawks

This resolution is a formal tribute to the life and career of Howard L. Hawks, a powerhouse in Nebraska’s business and philanthropic sectors. Born in the small town of Carleton in 1935, Hawks went on to co-found Tenaska Energy in 1987, turning it into one of the largest private companies in the country. The resolution serves as an official record of his contributions, moving beyond his corporate success to highlight his massive footprint on the state’s educational and social infrastructure.

A Blueprint for Giving

The resolution details a philanthropic record that reads like a map of the University of Nebraska system. From the Howard L. Hawks Hall at UNL to Baxter Arena at UNO and the Movement Disorders Fellowship at UNMC, the document links Hawks’s financial support to the physical and academic growth of the state's largest institutions. For a student today, this means modern classrooms and specialized medical research that might not have existed without his involvement. The resolution also recognizes his decade-long leadership in the Campaign for Nebraska, which successfully pulled in $1.8 billion for various state programs.

Beyond the Boardroom

While business and university regency often take center stage, the resolution specifically notes Hawks’s work on the ground with homelessness, mental health, and the arts. By formalizing these contributions in the Senate record, the resolution acknowledges a legacy that impacts residents far beyond the energy sector—from families utilizing the student-run Sharing Clinic to those benefiting from local mental health initiatives. It concludes with a formal expression of sorrow and a directive to send an enrolled copy of the tribute to the Hawks family, marking the official close of a significant chapter in Nebraska’s civic history.