NELSON, Earl Benjamin (Ben), a Senator from Nebraska; born on May 17, 1941, in McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska; graduated University of Nebraska, Lincoln 1963, Masters 1965, J.D. 1970; attorney and insurance executive; director, Nebraska Department of Insurance 1975-1976; governor of Nebraska 1991-1999; elected to the United States Senate in 2000 for term ending January 3, 2007.