[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S935-S936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO REVEREND JESSE SCOTT
Mr. REID. Madam President, I rise to acknowledge a respected voice
and longstanding figure in the Las Vegas community; I rise to commend a
leader of souls and a social advocate for civil rights and children for
over 50 years; I rise to wish a happy 90th birthday to a man whom I and
many in Las Vegas call their friend. I rise to honor Rev. Jesse Scott.
On March 3, 1920, Jesse Scott came into a world that is far different
than what we see today. When I think of the challenges he and so many
others have endured over the years, I am humbled by his strength,
perseverance, and faith in God.
As a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, Reverend
Scott has devoted his life to social justice. He was an organizer and
president of the NAACP's Westside Branch in Los Angeles and later
supervised the work of some thirty NAACP branches in southern
California.
Eventually he came to Nevada, where he served as the executive
director of the Las Vegas NAACP. Reverend Scott was on the front lines
in efforts to move the city of Las Vegas through very challenging
times. In fact he was
[[Page S936]]
part of a major effort to integrate the hospitality and entertainment
industry. Later, Reverend Scott was selected to serve as executive
director of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission and authored an
autobiography, ``Pioneer for Social Justice.''
Today, Reverend Scott is the assistant pastor at Second Baptist
Church of Las Vegas and is the former pastor of Second Christian Church
in Las Vegas. He is still carrying out his life's mission of social
advocacy by working with Nevada's nonviolent ex-offenders to provide
job training and employment. He also promotes education for children
and is aligned with initiatives that help students graduate from high
school and provide scholarships to college-bound young men and women.
Madam President, I ask the Senate to join me in paying tribute to
Reverend Jesse Scott for his lifetime of service to Nevada and our
Nation.
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