[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9891]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING RON SPEARS

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize artist 
Ron Spears for sharing his talents to create the Nevada Statehood 
Forever Stamp, almost 150 years following Nevada's entrance into the 
war-torn union.
  This year commemorates a very special year in Nevada's history during 
which we celebrate 150 years of statehood. From those days of bitter 
conflict, Nevada forged a State dedicated to preserving liberty and 
bettering America. Our dramatic entrance is why our State calls itself 
Battle Born and why Nevadans, over the past 150 years, have been 
entrepreneurial, fiercely independent, and as diverse as our terrain. 
It is an honor to recognize the artist who painted and captured the 
essence of the Nevada statehood in the Forever Stamp.
  A resident of Reno, NV, Ron Spears is a university professor with a 
master's in fine art. His career is decorated with many different 
projects, ranging from illustrations on casino games, book covers, 
magazine articles, and even illustrations for Magic: The Gathering, 
Dungeons and Dragons, Harry Potter Card Game, Upper Deck, Blizzard 
Entertainment, and others. Now, Ron can add the Nevada Statehood 
Forever Stamp to his long list of works of art. His contribution to our 
State's history is something to be both commended and applauded. Ron's 
creativity glows from this stamp commemorating Nevada's 
sesquicentennial.
  The brilliance and the vision that Ron discovered on his 2-year 
travels throughout this great State exemplifies the very inspiration 
that was born on October 31, 1864. Just beyond the neon lights of the 
Las Vegas Strip sits the stunning red rocks and bright blue skies that 
set the stage for a destination that is hard to miss, the Valley of 
Fire, Nevada's oldest State park. The magnificent formations of 
sandstone and dunes are what make this park a truly unique and 
brilliant place, one that I am glad was captured for our stamp. To say 
that I was struck by Ron's workmanship and vision would be an 
understatement.
  I am truly proud that we are able to showcase this incredible 
achievement that I am sure will serve as a model for other artists and 
pioneers, right here in Nevada. Today I ask my colleagues and residents 
of the Silver State to join me in recognizing Ron for this great 
achievement and honor.

                          ____________________