Editorial

Banquet honors many notable Nebraskans

Friday, March 3, 2006

One great thing about our state, is when an entity like the NEBRASKAland Foundation wants to recognize notables, there is never a shortage.

This year is no exception, the foundation recognizes six exceptional personalities at the 25th annual Statehood Day dinner Saturday night at the State Capitol.

As residents of the Southwest corner of the state, we're most proud of Jack Maddux, a third-generation Wauneta cattleman who will receive the Pioneer Award.

He has been deeply involved in organizations such as the National Cattlemen's Association and Nebraska Stock Growers Association and the Nebraska Section of the Society for Range Management.

But his work hasn't all been strictly cattle related. He serves on the state Water Policy Task Force, helped form the state's groundwater management legislation, is a former member of the Platte Whooping Crane Trust and a 4-H and Boy Scout leader.


Others to be honored include former University of Nebraska President Martin Massengale, Bob Kerrey, journalist Keith Blackledge of North Platte, former state Sen. LaVon Crosby of Lincoln, and U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser of Garland

Massengale and Blackledge will each receive the Wagonmaster Award, which recognize leadership in causes that benefit the state or nation. Massengale is a noted agricultural scientist and Blackledge had the helm of the North Platte Telegraph for 25 years and helped form a community foundation, advocate construction of North Platte's new hosital and start a Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

Crosby will receive the Trailblazer Award for her work supporting arts and humanities as well as many other civic causes.

In case you haven't read any of Kooser's poetry, you are missing out on some great metaphors. He is also "host" of the "American Life in Poetry" column appearing each week in the Gazette's "Preview" entertainment publication.

And Kerrey, in case you have lost track, is leaving his mark as president of the New York city college that has carried the name "New School," "New School University" and "New School: A University" under his tenure.

"I've gone from Nebraska, where people thought I was a liberal, to New York, where people think I'm a right-wing nutcase," said Kerrey, a former Nebraska governor and U.S. Senator.


Like too many Nebraskans, Kerrey can be counted among those who think the state is a great place "to be from." But Saturday night's banquet proves there are still plenty of notable Nebraskans living right here.

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