[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 137 (Friday, September 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING FRANK FERTITTA

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President. I wish to honor the memory of a remarkable 
human being who inspired those around him with kindness, generosity, 
and devotion. He was a man who loved his family and understood the 
value of education.
  Lately, it seems that heads of corporations and big businesses have 
become about as popular as lawyers and politicians. Well, you don't 
have to look further than the legacy of Frank Fertitta, Jr., to 
understand that compassion and respect can very much be part of a 
successful mission statement.
  The name Fertitta may be best known in Las Vegas, NV, but the lessons 
of how this gaming patriarch lived his life should be emulated around 
the world.
  Frank Fertitta, Jr., moved to Las Vegas in 1960 with his lovely wife 
Victoria. He started as a bellman and slowly worked his way through the 
ranks--dealer, pit boss, general manager. But what he will be 
remembered for professionally is his vision and understanding of 
business and human nature.
  In 1976, Frank opened a 5,000-square-foot building called The Casino. 
Those around him had their doubts about whether this venture would 
succeed. Instead, Frank became a pioneer of a gaming niche that catered 
to locals. His little experiment eventually became the Palace Station. 
Thirty-three years after that first venture, Station Casinos today has 
18 casinos and resorts and employs more than 13,000 people. And today, 
another generation of Fertittas is working to keep the vision of Frank 
Fertitta, Jr., alive and well.
  His success, however, is not what made Frank Fertitta, Jr., so 
extraordinary. It was his character and integrity that truly made him 
an example to all. With the utmost respect, he was called Mr. Fertitta 
by longtime employees and patrons of Station Casinos. That is because 
he showed respect to all he came into contact with, and they knew it.
  I was fortunate to know Mr. Fertitta and call him a friend. He was 
genuine and unwavering in his support. The kind of person you were 
blessed to have in your life.
  Described as quiet and polite, family and faith were the foundations 
of his life. Mr. Fertitta showed how a successful, hard-working 
businessman can also be a dedicated family man. Each week his whole 
family gathered at his and Victoria's home for Sunday dinner. This was 
a tradition that all of the Fertittas have cherished over the years. 
Anyone who knew him knew his family came first.
  He was also a consistent and valued friend to many philanthropic 
organizations in Las Vegas. He and Victoria were involved with the 
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Bishop Gorman High School, Catholic 
Charities of Southern Nevada, the Nevada Cancer Institute, Opportunity 
Village, St. Judes Ranch, and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for 
Brain Health.
  It is one thing to be generous with your resources. It is another 
thing to raise your children to also be generous with theirs. That was 
part of Mr. Fertitta's success. He was proud that his children had 
become such generous contributors to the community. They did so because 
he set such a strong example.
  Las Vegas lost a visionary with the recent passing of Mr. Fertitta. 
He taught us all how to respect others--regardless of one's status, how 
to dream big, and how to give back to our communities. There aren't 
many people like Mr. Fertitta in the world. We should all take a page 
from his mission statement to ensure that his brand of success lives 
on.

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