[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 9 (Friday, January 17, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S1137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO PETER ARAPIS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, Peter Arapis, Jr. was born in Nevada at the 
Las Vegas Hospital Clinic on 8th Street. His father, Peter Arapis, Sr., 
was born in Greece and was heavily involved in the Las Vegas Greek 
community throughout his life. Peter Arapis, Sr. was the Head Chef at 
the Nevada Test Site for many years beginning in the early 1950s. Peter 
Arapis, Sr. was active in the election of Michael O'Callaghan as the 
Governor of Nevada in 1970. He always helped me whenever I ran for 
public office.
  It was probably due to his father's involvement in politics that 
Peter Arapis, Jr. was quickly drawn in as well. As a student at Rancho 
High School, Peter volunteered to walk the neighborhoods, hanging 
campaign information on doors. All Peter's hard work paid off because 
O'Callaghan was elected as Governor, and I was elected as Lieutenant 
Governor. Little did I know that Peter would one day become an 
invaluable member of my senior staff and a trusted friend.
  After graduating from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, NV, Peter 
worked as a car valet for a few years before attending college at UNLV. 
In 1985, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. This same 
year, Peter was the recipient of the L.B.J. Scholarship which afforded 
him the opportunity to come and work in my office in the House of 
Representatives as a congressional fellow. This is when Peter got his 
first taste of politics on Capitol Hill.
  Thereafter, Peter returned to Las Vegas and worked as part of my 
campaign staff the first time I ran for the U.S. Senate. In 1986, I was 
fortunate to be elected to serve my first term in the Senate, and from 
that date until now, Peter has been an indispensable part of my team.
  One of Peter's first lessons in Nevada politics came shortly after my 
first Senatorial campaign. He was hiking in Nevada, east of Ely in 
White Pine County, and planning to camp up on top of Mt. Moriah. Mt. 
Moriah had a wilderness area at the top whose preservation had been an 
issue during the campaign. While hiking, Peter was confronted by 
ranchers who were trying to keep people off the mountain. They made it 
quite clear to him that no one was welcome on the mountain. Unbeknown 
to Peter, the ranchers were the very same ranchers that had been 
extremely cooperative with respect to the wilderness issue during the 
campaign. Reason being, the ranchers were mountain lion hunting guides, 
and they had surrounded the entire mountain. The only way to get to the 
roads to gain access to the wilderness area up on top was to cross over 
their private property. By surrounding the mountain they had in essence 
turned the wilderness area into their own private property to help 
their guide service flourish. Peter later made the connection.
  After working on the 1986 election, Peter earned a master's degree in 
Political Science from UNLV in 1987 where he also served as a teaching 
assistant.
  Over the years, Peter has held nearly every position in my office. He 
worked for 4 years, 1987 to 1991, in my Las Vegas office as a state 
representative. In 1992, he decided that he wanted to return to 
Washington, DC, and he came to work as a Legislative Assistant 
responsible for Appropriations for Energy and Water, Interior and 
Related Agencies, Commerce-Justice-State, and Military Construction. 
Shortly thereafter, he served as a Deputy Legislative Director.
  Peter returned to Nevada to work as a deputy campaign manager in my 
1998 Senate race. He was a vital part of my team in a very close re-
election. Realizing that he had caught the ``Potomac Fever,'' and 
having met Lynn Breaux at her restaurant, the famous Tunni Cliffs 
Tavern, Peter once again returned to Washington, DC.
  From 1999 to today, Peter has diligently worked for me as my floor 
manager and senior policy adviser, aiding me daily in my capacity as 
Democratic whip. I am thankful to have had such a loyal and dedicated 
employee, but more importantly, I am thankful that I can call him my 
friend.
  I say to Peter: Good luck, I will miss you, but always remember you 
are a Nevadan.

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