Ben Nelson tribute Saturday night
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Friends, family members and supporters will gather Saturday night at the Keystone Business Center in McCook to pay tribute to native son Ben Nelson for his 20 years of service as Nebraska Governor and U.S. Senator.
The event on Saturday night is open to the public, The event will begin with a 7 p.m. reception in the Keystone lobby, followed by an 8 p.m. program in the banquet room. Tickets, costing $10 each, are available from the McCook National Bank, Sehnert's Bakery and the McCook Economic Development Corp. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event, subject to availability.
Nelson, who was born in McCook, graduated from McCook High School in 1959 and went on to receive his bachelor's, master's and law degrees from the University of Nebraska.
Following a career in insurance law, Nelson served two terms as Nebraska governor, from 1990 to 1998, and two terms in the U.S. Senate, from 2000 to 2012.
The program will highlight the profound positive effect that Nelson has had during his service as governor and U.S. Senator.
The mayor of McCook, Dennis Berry, will serve as master of ceremonies for the Nelson tribute, which is being sponsored by the McCook Economic Development Corp.
The program to honor the hometown governor and senator will feature remarks by the Rev. Chuck Peek, Professor Emeritus from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Also on the program are Mark Graff, past chairman of the Nebraska Community Foundation; Walt Sehnert, former owner of Sehnert's Bakery; Honey Lou Bonar, a member of the McCook High School Class of 1959; Tom Vickers, former State Senator from District 44; and Rex Nelson, executive director of the McCook Economic Development Corp.