[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 25442]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BRECK WALL

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to express my congratulations 
and best wishes to my longtime friend and fellow Nevadan, Mr. Breck 
Wall.
  Born in Jacksonville, FL in 1934, Mr. Wall has lived an interesting 
and exciting life. As an entertainer, he has known many talented and 
famous people in the world of show business. He has also crossed paths 
with well-known people in other walks of life. In the early 60s, he 
performed in the Dallas nightclub owned by Jack Ruby, the man who shot 
Lee Harvey Oswald.
  The Las Vegas Sun has called Breck ``one of the most durable 
performers in Las Vegas,'' and that is no exaggeration. This year he is 
celebrating the 45th anniversary of a show called ``Bottoms Up,'' which 
he created in 1959 at the old Adolphus Hotel in Dallas.
  Breck based this show upon slapstick vaudeville comedy, which 
explains its long-running appeal. The show is very Las Vegas, 
therefore, is enjoyed all over America.
  After producing ``Bottoms Up'' in Dallas and Houston for several 
years, Breck brought the show to Las Vegas in 1964 . . . and he has 
never left.
  The show is now a Las Vegas institution. It has played at many of the 
finest hotels in town, including Ceasar's Palace and the old 
International Hotel where Elvis used to perform--now the Las Vegas 
Hilton. It is currently enjoying a run of several years at the 
Flamingo.
  Breck has done more than 15,000 performances of this show, but he 
never gets tired of it . . . and neither do the audiences. The secrets 
of his longevity are a strong work ethic, and the kind of good nature 
that brings a smile and laughter to everyone who meets him.
  I first met Breck in 1977 when I was chairman of the Nevada Gaming 
Commission. We were introduced by some mutual friends at an event, and 
we exchanged a few jokes. I could immediately sense Breck's warmth and 
his sharp wit.
  We really became good friends a few years later, when I ran for 
Congress and Breck helped me with my campaign. Breck has produced shows 
for my campaign that have been exciting, entertaining and fun.
  Helping other is typical of Breck Wall. Despite the demands of his 
travels and his work, he always finds time to contribute something to 
his community.
  Most recently, he participated in the Golden Rainbow's 17th annual 
``Ribbon of Life'' AIDS benefit at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas. This 
summer show helped raise more than a quarter of a million dollars for 
an organization dedicated to helping the men, women, and children 
living with HIV and AIDS.
  I ask all my colleagues to join me in sending our good wishes to Mr. 
Breck Wall as he celebrates the 45th anniversary of ``Bottoms Up,'' a 
Las Vegas entertainment tradition.

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