[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 42 (Thursday, March 12, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S1492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING PAUL CHRISTENSEN

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today, we honor the life and 
service of Paul Christensen, whose passing signifies a great loss for 
Nevada. I send my condolences and prayers to his wife Norma and the 
entire family in this time of mourning. Mr. Christensen was a man 
committed to his country, his State, and his community. He will be 
sorely missed.
  Mr. Christensen moved with his father and mother to Las Vegas in 1939 
when his father started the family's jewelry business. He graduated 
from Las Vegas High School in 1950 and continued his studies at Brigham 
Young University, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He then 
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot, serving in the Korean war. 
As one of our Nation's servicemembers, he made exceptional sacrifices 
for our country. I extend my deepest gratitude to Mr. Christensen for 
his courageous contributions to the United States of America. His 
service to his country and his bravery earn him a place among the 
outstanding men and women who have valiantly defended our Nation and 
will never be forgotten.
  After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Christensen returned to Las 
Vegas in 1957 and worked in the family jewelry store. It was during 
this time that he married Mrs. Christensen and began his lifelong 
legacy of commitment to his local community. He served in the Nevada 
Assembly in the 1950s and then the Nevada Senate in the 1960s. In 1977 
and 1981, Christensen was elected to the Las Vegas City Council, during 
which time he focused on the safety of southern Nevada communities by 
improving police presence and increasing the number of firefighters. He 
also worked to improve road conditions, specifically widening Jones 
Boulevard.
  Mr. Christensen then continued his service to the great State of 
Nevada by working tirelessly on the Clark County Commission until 1996. 
During his decades spent working to better the Silver State, he was 
also chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 
president of the Las Vegas Valley Water District, and was appointed by 
Governor Kenny Guinn to serve on the Transportation Services Authority. 
In October of 2013, the Paul J. Christensen Bridge was named after him 
in honor of his work in his local community, a distinction well 
deserved. Mr. Christensen continued philanthropic work for the Las 
Vegas community until his health declined.
  Throughout his life, Mr. Christensen worked tirelessly to make 
southern Nevada the best it could be, which I am honored to commend. He 
was a role model and his legacy will live on. Today, I join the Las 
Vegas community and citizens of the Silver State to celebrate the life 
of an upstanding Nevadan, Paul Christensen.

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