[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 110TH BIRTHDAY OF SEARCHLIGHT, NEVADA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of a very special 
event--the 110th birthday celebration of my hometown, Searchlight, NV. 
My colleagues have heard me speak often of Searchlight, and they all 
know how proud I am to call it home.
  On July 20, 1898, Searchlight was established like many towns across 
the West were--as a mining district. George Frederick Colton had struck 
gold the year before, bringing a rush of miners to the area. Over the 
next 10 years, Searchlight provided millions of dollars of gold to the 
world and grew to be one of the most populated areas in southern 
Nevada. During the mines' most prosperous years, Searchlight was one of 
the most modern, well-appointed towns in the State.
  While Searchlight's mining boom may have ended 100 years ago, the 
pioneering spirit lives on in our small community. And on Saturday, 
October 4, 2008, the residents of Searchlight will commemorate the 
passing of the town's 110th year with a BBQ dinner and various 
activities. I join the community in thanking the Searchlight Museum 
Guild for organizing this celebration.
  In particular, I would like to recognize my friend Jane Overy, 
curator of the Searchlight Historic Museum. Jane was instrumental in 
the founding of the museum, and she continues her work as Searchlight's 
resident historian in the planning of this year's birthday celebration 
program, ``Sharing Searchlight's Historic Memories.'' In addition to 
her work with the museum, Jane is involved with many town activities 
and is a well-known and well-loved figure in our community. She is a 
Navy veteran and she and her husband Carl, an Air Force veteran, have 
been very active members of Nevada's proud military community. Jane 
currently serves as the Department Commander for Nevada Disabled 
American Veterans. She has been a dedicated collector and preserver of 
Searchlight's history, and I am grateful for her contributions to the 
community.
  In my office in the Capitol, I keep a picture of my childhood home in 
Searchlight. It serves as a reminder of how my hometown has shaped my 
work on behalf of Nevada throughout my career in Congress. I am proud 
to recognize the historic occasion of Searchlight's 110th birthday, and 
I wish its residents a successful and enjoyable event.

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