[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 61 (Monday, April 3, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S5080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  TRIBUTE TO KRISTEN AND SKIP AVANSINO

 Mr. REID. Mr. President, on Tuesday, April 11, Kristen and 
Raymond ``Skip'' Avansino will be honored by the American Jewish 
Committee's Institute of Human Relations for their efforts to protect 
the religious, political, and economic rights of all Americans.
  It is with pleasure that I take this occasion to recognize and 
commend them for their many years of service to the people of Nevada 
and throughout the country.
  Skip Avansino has had a long and remarkable career, and is a role 
model for all young people who wish to succeed in public and private 
life. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, Skip earned 
a degree in law from the University of San Francisco and a masters of 
law in taxation from New York University.
  He returned to the University of Nevada as an assistant professor of 
business, real estate, and accounting law. Following a 4-year term on 
the Nevada Gaming Commission, Skip entered private practice 
specializing in corporate tax and gaming law. In the mid-1980's, Skip's 
talents were recognized by the Hilton Hotel Corp. and he was appointed 
to the corporations board of directors.
  In February 1993, he was elected president and chief operating 
officer of Hilton Hotels where he is responsible for overseeing one of 
the largest resort/casino operations in the world.
  Kristen Avansino is equally talented. An accomplished dancer and 
choreographer, Kristen has served as professor of dance at the 
University of Nevada, Reno, and as an instructor for the Nevada Museum 
of Art. She earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Mills College 
and a lifetime teaching credential from the University of California.
  Currently, she is on the board of trustees of the San Francisco 
Ballet, the Cate School, the Nevada Museum of Art, and she is the 
executive director of the Wiegand Foundation, a private charitable 
trust. Indeed, she has lent her talent and energy to many causes in 
philanthropy, higher education, and the arts.
  Kristen and Skip Avansino have been good friends for many years. They 
have given unselfishly to civic and community causes and have always 
been willing to give help when help was needed.
  I am glad to share with the rest of the country what we in Nevada 
have known for a long time, and to congratulate the Avansino's for a 
lifetime of dedication and concern for their fellow citizens.


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