Hamid Karzai's visit was prompted by a long-standing relationship with Thomas Gouttierre and as part of a weeklong tour of the United States, which also included stops in Boston and Washington D.C.
UNO, Omaha welcome Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Angi Sada
June 07, 2005
Caption: Afghan President Hamid Karzai rides seven-year-old American Quarterhorse mare named 'Pretty' at Harry Knobbe Feedyards in West Point, Nebraska, May 25, 2005. Karzai met with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington on Monday. REUTERS/Brian Kreikemeier/Harry Knobbe Feedyards/Handout
On Wednesday, May 25, inside of an unassuming aircraft hangar and under the watchful eyes of several dozen Secret Service agents, Hamid Karzai, the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan, began his daylong tour of the Omaha area. He spoke to about 300 airmen at Offutt Air Force Base at 9:15 a.m. before moving on to the Harry Knobbe Farm and Feedyards in West Point and then to UNO to receive an honorary Doctorate of Letters.
At UNO, Karzai viewed the Arthur and Daisy Paul Afghanistan Collection and the Luke Powell Photographic Collection in the University Library and then received his degree from the university in a ceremony at the Strauss Performing Arts Center.
Several members of UNO faculty and administration including UNO Faculty Senate President Hollis Glaser, Thomas Gouttierre, and Chancellor Nancy Belck attended the Conferral of Degrees ceremony. UNO Student President/Regent Elizabeth Kraemer, University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken, Mayor Mike Fahey and Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy were also in attendance.
During her opening statements, Belck said, "This is, indeed, an extraordinary day for the state of Nebraska, the city of Omaha and the University of Nebraska. It is a day we have long awaited."
Karzai's visit was prompted by a long-standing relationship with Gouttierre and as part of a weeklong tour of the United States, which also included stops in Boston and Washington D.C.
Belck presented Karzai's degree. During her presentation, Belck commented on Karzai's commitment to the education of his people and on the promise of UNO's continued involvement in aiding Afghanistan's education system.
Fahey presented a smiling Karzai with a key to the city as well. Karzai expressed a desire to open and maintain a relationship with Omaha.
"Today is a great day for me. Two great honors in the same day in the same city," Karzai said as a crowd filled with his large entourage of more than 25, representatives of nearly 300 Afghan families from the Omaha area and many members of the UNO community applauded.
"I hope that, with that key, I can open a sister city plan with Kabul," he said again to another eruption of applause.
Karzai also expressed gratitude to the state of Nebraska and to Gouttierre.
"Nebraska has done for Afghanistan what no other state has done," he said.
In regards to Gouttierre, Karzai said that he has opened many opportunities up to and created a sense of understanding for Afghanistan.
"Tom Gouttierre is the man who has done that. Sometimes we call him the son of America. Most often we call him a son of Afghanistan," he said.
Karzai acknowledged the length of time that United States forces have been in Afghanistan and asked that Americans be patient and vigilant in their efforts to support Afghan reconstruction.
"My plea for today is that you remain with Afghanistan. Be steady. Stay friendly with Afghanistan."
