[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4164-S4165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, 50 years ago--April 12, 1959--the Las Vegas 
Convention Center opened its doors for the first time. The first event 
at the new convention center was the World Congress of Flight's air and 
space show. Attracting 7,500 attendees, this was the first-ever 
international air show in American history, attracting the 
participation of 51 foreign nations. Originally 1.5 million square 
feet, the convention center has grown over the years to accommodate its 
popularity to a current size of 3 million square feet.
  Today, the Las Vegas Convention Center is a major part of Nevada's 
culture and a force for job creation and economic growth. More than 
46,000 jobs are directly related to the meetings

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and conventions industry in southern Nevada. Aside from the jobs 
directly within the building, the Las Vegas Convention Center also 
contributes to the success of the dozens of small businesses that serve 
and supply the trade show industry. This includes florists, office 
supply stores, caterers and transportation services, just to name a 
few.
  The Las Vegas Convention Center has contributed to Las Vegas growing 
into the No. 1 trade show destination in America. Clark County hosts 
more than 22,000 meetings, conventions, and trade shows every year. The 
convention center has also been home to many of our Nation's most 
historic product announcements--including the VCR, the DVD player and 
high-definition television.
  By hosting concerts by the Beatles, heavyweight fights featuring 
Muhammed Ali, events with Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Reagan and 
Bush, the Las Vegas Convention Center has for 50 years played a central 
role in the fabric of our national culture.
  The Las Vegas Convention Center is an example of private industry and 
public agencies working collaboratively for the benefit of the 
community. I congratulate the Las Vegas Convention Center--and all 
those who make it a success--on 50 outstanding years of creating 
opportunity for the people of Nevada and capturing the imagination of 
people throughout America.

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