[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 8917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               NEVADA GAMING COMMISSION 50TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, this month marks the 50th anniversary of one 
of the most important institutions in the growth and prosperity of the 
State of Nevada--the Nevada Gaming Commission.
  On March 30, 2009, the William S. Boyd School of Law at the 
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will mark this anniversary and honor 
those who have contributed to the stability, integrity, and success of 
the world's first gaming control system.
  The Nevada State Legislature approved the Nevada Control Act in 
response to Gov. Grant Sawyer's request for gaming reform in his first 
state of the State address. Governor Grant and others recognized that 
clearer rules and oversight were necessary to show America that Nevada 
was serious about fair and ethical gaming.
  When Governor Sawyer appointed the first members of the Gaming 
Commission in 1959, he said that the key characteristic of his 
appointees must be integrity. Governors since that time have followed 
that guideline and ensured 50 years of an ethical Commission.
  This 50th anniversary leads me to reflect upon my 4 years as chairman 
of the commission, from 1977 to 1981. During these 4 years, we 
transitioned to a new world of gaming where Nevada shared the legal 
gaming stage with New Jersey. I will always remember the support I 
received as Commission Chairman from Governors Mike O'Callaghan, Robert 
List and my fellow commissioners. Over the course of my years in public 
service, nothing has given me more satisfaction than the progress we 
made during those years.
  The current members of the Gaming Commission--Chairman Peter 
Bernhard, Arthur Marshall, Sue Wagner, Radha Chanderraj and Tony 
Alamo--personify the qualities of leadership Nevada expects and 
deserves.
  To all the members of the Nevada Gaming Commission, past and 
present--and all the support staff who have helped them succeed--I 
extend my warm congratulations on this 50th anniversary.

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