Wes Hansen owned and operated two ranching operations totaling approximately 30,000 acres, “77 Ranch” and “Keystone Ranch.” Wes was extremely involved in his community, state and nation for all matters related to agriculture and the cattle industry. In recognition of his integrity, his keen judgment and his willingness to serve, Mr. Hansen was elected president or director of nearly every organization he was associated with.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen. It is indeed a privilege for me to be here this evening and participate with the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement in honoring two outstanding Nebraska agriculturalists.
It is a real personal pleasure for me to participate in a tribute to Mr. Wesley F. Hansen of North Platte. I have known Wes for about 15 years. Probably our closest association was while I was District Director at the North Platte Station. Wes was on our station advisory board at that time, and in fact, is still associated with the station as a representative on the Beef, Range and Forage Liaison Committee.
Wes owns and operates an outstanding ranching operation, totaling approximately 30,000 acres on "77 Ranch" northwest of North Platte and "Keystone Ranch" east of Lake McConaughy. I'm also very happy to introduce to you, Mrs. Hanse, the former Barbara Smith of North Platte.
Wes and Barbara have three children. A son, Tom, who is currently associated with the family ranching operation; and two daughters, Pamela Hansen Short of North Platte, and Mrs. MaryAnn Jorgensen of Hershey.
West was born on May 4, 1919, the son of the late Henry Hansen, a rancher and a member of the State Legislature. Wes graduated from the North Platte High School in 1936 and completed a two-year farm-ranch operations course at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1938.
Wes has been an extremely involved citizen of his community, state and nation, particularly as it relates to the well-being of agriculture with special emphasis on the cattle industry.
Wes served on a variety of organizations and committees including the Board of Directors for the North Platte Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors for the North Platte Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln County Fair Board, the First Evangelical Lutheran Church Council, and the advisory council of the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture and Home Economics. He was a 4-H livestock club leader for 18 years and served six years as a commissioner of the Nebraska Educational TV Commission.
Wes also served on Governor Exon's Special Tax Relief Committee, and on the Animal Health Research Center Committee, representing 22 agricultural groups working for the establishment of the USDA Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center. After the establishment of the Center, he served two terms on the advisory committee. Wes has served well on the advisory committee for the University of Nebraska, North Platte Station, and is currently a director of the Dawson County Public Power District, a position he has held since 1952. He is also director of the American National Cattlemen's Association and was named to the Nebraska Brand Committee in 1974 to fill a 4-year term.
As I mentioned before, Mr. Hansen has been involved in activities to strengthen the support of the cattle industry in Nebraska and the nation. He is a past board member, treasurer, vice-president and president of the Nebraska Sandhills Cattle Association. He is a past president of the Nebraska Feeders and Breeders Association. He played an active role in organizing the Grasslands Livestock Association in North Platte and is a past president of the organization. He served as vice-president and president of the Nebraska Stock Growers Association. As past chairman of that organization's Legislative Committee, volunteered many, many hours of time representing Nebraska cattle interests in both state and national legislation.
Wes is also on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of North Platte and the U.S. National Bank of Omaha, Nebraska.
As you might expect, Wes has received many honors for his outstanding agricultural efforts. His awards include induction into the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement in 1964, Boss of the Year presented by the North Platte Jaycee's in 1968, the Agricultural Achievement Award by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben in 1973, and was a Western Livestock Journal Cattleman of the Month recipient. West has received the Nebraska Secretary of State Citation for leadership and service to the Livestock Industry, the Nebraska Agri-business Club Service to Agriculture Award, and this year was elected to honorary membership to the University of Nebraska Block and Bridle Club and to the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association.
I congratulate you, Wes, and the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement for selecting you as one of tonight's honorees.
