[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     75TH ANNIVERSARY OF SKY TAVERN

 Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
75th anniversary of Sky Tavern. In 1948, determined to help young 
Nevadans learn how to ski, Marcelle ``Marce'' Herz filled her station 
wagon up with kids and drove up the Mt. Rose Highway, fit them with 
equipment and gear, and began teaching them about the sport and the 
environment around them. Ms. Herz's efforts eventually led to the 
creation of the Sky Tavern's Jr. Ski Program, which has taught over 
100,000 Reno area youth how to ski and snowboard and continues to serve 
over 2,000 children each winter.
  Today, Sky Tavern is a nonprofit organization that provides summer 
and winter outdoor sports training, competitions, recreation, and 
events that are open to all in the region. Sky Tavern's goal and 
mission is to give as many youth as possible the opportunity to engage 
in outdoor sports and recreation--no matter their financial or physical 
abilities--providing lifelong experiences that promote personal growth 
and responsibility. Operated by a volunteer workforce, Sky Tavern is a 
shining example of what is possible through strong community 
engagement. From the instructors down to the lift operators, nearly 
everyone helping Sky Tavern achieve its mission is taking time out of 
their personal lives to do so. At its core, Sky Tavern runs on the 
spirit of giving back, while also striving to fulfill founder Marce 
Herz's goal of helping any child learn to ski and have fun doing it.
  There are many examples of how Sky Tavern has helped people grow 
through their love of the outdoors. Sky Tavern Ski Program alumni 
include Olympians such as three-time medalist David Wise, Lane Spina, 
and Tamara McKinney. Sky Tavern's promise to give opportunities to 
anyone, regardless of their physical or financial ability is the 
cornerstone that they operate on. The specially trained volunteer staff 
in their adaptive program are dedicated to helping children with 
disabilities learn how to ski and enjoy the outdoors. That dedication 
has yielded results; several Paralympians, including Gold-medalist 
Ricci Kilgore can trace their roots back to Sky Tavern.
  Congratulations to Sky Tavern on its 75th anniversary. I look forward 
to seeing their continued impact on the lives of young people in 
Nevada.

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