Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of the Nevada National Guard, and I honor them today for their service to the State of Nevada and our Nation.

The Nevada National Guard is comprised of 2,072 soldiers and 994 airman totaling 3,066 members. The Nevada National Guard has participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Noble Eagle. According to the Army National Guard's Bureau of Statistics, Nevada's contributions in support of these missions ranked among the top in the nation in overall percentages during 2003 and 2004. The following seven Units of the Nevada National Guard and Air National Guard have participated in the global war on terror: 1864th Transportation Company, Kuwait/Iraq; 1/221st Cavalry, Ft. Irwin, CA; D Company, 113th Aviation, Afghanistan; Detachment 45, OSA, Kuwait; 593 Transportation Company, Iraq; 152nd Airlift Wing & 152nd Intelligence Sqdn, Iraq; 192nd Airlift Sqdn & 152nd Maintenance Sqdn, Puerto Rico.

In addition to their national mission, the Nevada National Guard serves the State through a number of regional missions which include firefighting, security assistance, and natural disaster response. In August of 2005 the National Guard responded to Louisiana's call for help in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by providing emergency management assistance, security, and evacuation assistance to the gulf coast region.

The Nevada National Guard is a key player in Nevada's drug control and prevention efforts. By partnering with Federal, State, and local officials and providing intelligence gathering expertise, the Guard is helping Nevada communities win the war on drugs. Nevada's Guard continues to serve our Nation throughout the world in the global war on terror and is ready to respond at a moment's notice whenever needed.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and heartfelt gratitude that I salute the members of Nevada's National Guard and their families, and I honor them today for their service and dedication to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. William F. Harvey who donates his optometric services to the Paiute Tribe Health Services, and the Las Vegas Blind Center.

Dr. William F. Harvey was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 2, 1948. Dr. Harvey attended Western High School in 1967 before finishing his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University in 1972. Dr. Harvey graduated at the top of his class at Illinois College of Optometry in 1976 and moved back to Las Vegas to start his private practice.

Dr. Harvey works hard in his private practice and is a devout husband, father of three, and grandfather of six; however, he still reserves time to serve the community. Since 1993 Dr. Harvey has donated his time to the Las Vegas Blind Center and continues to serve the Paiute Tribe Health and Human Services, giving their patients free optometric care.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Dr. William F. Harvey on the floor of the House. I commend him for his continued service to the residents of southern Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Patty Sue Hutchinson to celebrate the anniversary of the McFadden Insurance Agency, which she started 25 years ago.

Patty Hutchinson was born on March 25, 1933 in Springfield, Missouri. After graduating as Valedictorian of her high school in 1950, she started in the insurance business the very next week. Her first time out of her small town she had no formal education on the insurance business she received on the job training due to the lack of insurance education classes at the time.

In 1952, she married Bob Hutchinson, and due to his Air Force career they were transferred first to Anchorage, Alaska then to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV. Patty worked for various independent agents and adjustors after moving to Las Vegas. After the birth of her first child she went to work for Farmers Insurance Company when they opened their first claims office in Las Vegas. When her second child was born she decided to work part time for Key Adjustment Company. When deciding to return to full time employment Patty returned to work for Peccole Insurance Agency. In 1960, she was rehired at Key Adjustment Company. In 1966 she was requested by a former Key Adjustment Employer, to move with him to Horsey Insurance Agency as an office manager and commercial underwriter. In 1979, she took insurance courses, receiving her Certificate for General Principles of Insurance from the Insurance Institute of America. She soon after took the State test and became an agent. Patty then joined with John McFadden opening McFadden Insurance as a 50 percent partner in 1981.

Her commendations include: the Insurance Women's Association of Las Vegas' Woman of the Year, President of the Nevada Independent Insurance Agents from 1983-84, Education Chairperson for the Nevada Independent Insurance Agents, the Nevada Insurance Education Foundation Trustee, and was the first woman to go through the chairs and serve as President of the Independent Insurance Agent's of Southern Nevada. Patty has received many awards with the Nevada Independent Insurance Agents, and most recently in 1996 was Insurance Person of the Year for the University of Nevada Las Vegas's Institute for Insurance and Risk Management.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Patty Sue Hutchinson for her years of service and her many successes in the insurance industry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Candy Schneider who is retiring after 33 years of service in the Clark County School District.

Candy ha been a teacher of art, humanities and she is academically talented at the junior high school level as well as a Visual Arts Administrative Specialist with grades K-12 for over three decades. She has also served as the district liaison and coordinated the Congressional Art Contest for the past three years. During her career as an educator, Candy has also served as the Assistant Director of the School-Community Partnership Program, as Nevada Arts Council Chairwoman, as the chair of the Arts in Education Committee and on the Executive Committee. Among Candy's many achievements, she has

been honored with the Nevada Educator of the Year Award, the Excellence in Education Award and a National Gallery of Art State Scholarship. Candy is also a member of the Arts Council of Henderson and an honorary member of the Henderson Art Association.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Candy Schneider for her years of dedicated service to the students in the Clark County School District. Her passion is truly arts education and she has surely enriched countless lives with her tutelage. I wish her the best in her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Captain Clayton L. Adamkavicius, who died on April 21, 2006 in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Captain Adamkavicius, who was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 149th Armored Brigade, 35th Infantry Division of the Army National Guard was killed by small arms fire in the Uruzghan Province in the central part of Afghanistan. He was in the process of investigating a weapons cashe when he fell.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of Captain Clayton L. Adamkavicius. Captain Adamkavicius made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while fighting the War on Terror and defending democracy and freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Shawn T. Lasswell Jr. who died on April 23, 2006 while in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and defending America.

Corporal Lasswell, who was assigned to C Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, died in Taji, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Lasswell, who grew up in Alton, Illinois was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of Corporal Shawn T. Lasswell Jr. Corporal Lasswell made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while fighting the War on Terror and defending democracy and freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of James Kelly, who died Saturday, May 12, 2006.

James served the city of North Las Vegas for decades in a number of different capacities. He was a Justice of the Peace for 24 years, a former city council member, past President of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and a past President of the Nevada Judges Association. James lived in North Las Vegas since 1959 and was very community-minded. He quietly led a life of public service.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of James Kelly. His long and distinguished record of public service is admirable and should serve as an example to us all. He will be greatly missed by the city of North Las Vegas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of First Sergeant Carlos N. Saenz, who died on May 5, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and defending America.

Sergeant Saenz was assigned to the 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, U.S. Army Reserves, died when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Sergeant Saenz, who resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of First Sergeant Carlos N. Saenz. Sergeant Saenz made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while fighting the War on Terror and defending democracy and freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of James ``Jim'' Maack, who succumbed to cancer on May 4, 2006.

Jim was a newspaper carrier for the Boulder City News for 24 years, starting off with a small delivery route around Lake Mead Parkway and Van Wagenen Street, he took on larger routes until he was delivering papers to stands and stores throughout the Henderson and Boulder City area. Jim was a good guy, with a great sense of humor, who always had a smile on his face.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of James ``Jim'' Maack. He was a very special man who enriched the lives of all he encountered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Professor Hal Rothman, who has recently received the President's Medal which is the highest honor awarded by the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Professor Rothman was selected for this honor based on the recommendation of a University Committee. The honor is granted only after serious consideration of a highly select group of faculty, and awardees must have demonstrated extraordinary qualities both as teachers and scholars and must have achieved national and international recognition in their fields of study.

Professor Rothman joined UNLV's department of history in 1992 and served as chair from 2002-2005. During his tenure, Professor Rothman received numerous awards for his scholarship, teaching and contributions to the academic environment in Las Vegas, including the Marjorie Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award, the Harry Reid Silver State Research Award, and the Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award. Professor Rothman is also a prolific author and has published numerous books and articles on a variety of topics, including tourism in the Western U.S., Las Vegas history, and the environment. He has won five prizes for his books and been named to the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame. Professor Rothman is considered one of the Nation's leading experts on tourism and post-industrial economies.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Professor Hal Rothman for his receipt of the University of Las Vegas President's Award. His demonstrated academic excellence and skillful tutelage have greatly enriched the academic caliber of the University and the quality of education for the students. I congratulate him for receiving this distinguished award and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the Honorable Bert M. Goldwater, who died on May 3, 2006.

Judge Goldwater attended schools in Reno and Stockton, California. He attended Stanford University for three years, and because of his lifelong battle with asthma, returned to the University of Nevada, Reno, where he graduated in 1936. He received his law degree from the University of Colorado in 1939, where he was the Editor of the Rocky Mountain Law Review. Judge Goldwater was admitted to the Nevada Bar in 1939 and practiced both civil and criminal law. He was later appointed the United States Bankruptcy Judge in October 1979. After retiring from the bench in 1982, he joined Lionel, Sawyer and Collins Law Firm, where he practiced private law for more than a decade. Judge Goldwater was recalled to serve as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in October 1994, where he served until his death.

Judge Goldwater was also very active in the Nevada Bar. He served as President of the Washoe County Bar Association, Secretary and Chairman of the State Board of Bar Examiners and Chairman of the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Judge Goldwater was also very passionate about education, serving as the president of the B.D. Billinghurst Junior High School P.T.A. and Chairman of the statewide Save Our Schools Committee. In the 1960's, he was appointed by the Nevada Legislature to serve as Chairman of the Citizens Committee on Taxation and Fiscal Affairs. He also served on the Nevada State Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Human Rights Commission, and was a 1964 alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the Honorable Bert M. Goldwater. His dedication to justice and community are admirable and should serve as an example to us all. He will be greatly missed by the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cameron Stay, a young man who exemplifies what it means to be a noble citizen.

Cameron, who is 29 years old, was recently involved in a life changing motorcycle accident. I had the pleasure of visiting Cameron while I was in Las Vegas and can personally attest to his courage and his character.

Cameron is a history buff, who graduated from Green Valley High School in 1994, and subsequently attended Community College where he earned a degree in criminal justice.

His strong work ethic and commitment to the greater Boulder City community serve as an example and an inspiration. Having met Cameron, I was struck by his magnetic personality and extremely friendly demeanor. Cameron is an enthusiastic and positive individual. As the eldest son, he has set a good example for his younger brothers and has always been a positive influence.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Cameron Stay, a young man who personifies what it is to be a civically minded individual and a good man. I wish him a speedy recovery.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a friend of mine, Cameron Stay, a friend from Henderson, Nevada. Cameron has been an inspiration for me. We had a chance to meet recently. He experienced a tragic motorcycle accident just a few months ago.

Cameron is a friend of Nevada and a friend of the country. He is a Green Valley High School graduate from Henderson, Nevada, in my district and has a college degree in criminal justice. He also was a firefighter with the BLM and with the Hotshots 777 group and worked for TAB Construction.

I mention Cameron today because he is an inspiration for me as a Member of Congress. As we look at issues ranging from world peace to education to health care to children and families, Cameron has been that inspiration for his courage, his enthusiasm, and his will to live a full life. He truly represents what this country is about; and today I would like to recognize Cameron and his mother, who is here today, Denice Olson and her husband, Stan, who are in the audience, and say thank you for sharing with us your son as an inspiration for us as Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor former United States Senator Chic Hecht for his service to the residents of Nevada as well as the United States of America.

Mayer Jacob Hecht was born on November 30, 1928. He is better known by his friends and family by the childhood nickname of Chic. Chic was born into a Jewish family in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in retailing from Washington University in St. Louis in 1949 before entering the military.

Chic attended Military Intelligence School at Fort Holibird and served as an intelligence agent with the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1953. Chic was a member of the National Military Intelligence Association, and was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 1988. After leaving military service, Chic moved to Nevada. His business activities included retailing, the operation of a bank, and interests in hotels. He married the former Gail Kahn in 1959.

In 1966, Chic was elected to the Nevada State Senate, the first Republican to represent his predominantly Democratic district in and around Las Vegas in more than 25 years. He was a State Senator from 1967 to 1975, serving as Senate Minority Leader from 1969 to 1970. In 1982, Chic was elected to the United States Senate, ousting four-term incumbent Democrat Howard Cannon. He served only one term, from 1983 to 1989, having been defeated for reelection in 1988 by Democrat Richard Bryan. He was then appointed ambassador to the Bahamas by President George H.W. Bush, and served in that post from 1989 to 1994.

At age 77, Senator Hecht passed away on May 15, 2006 due to complications from cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Senator Chic Hecht for his success in politics and his service to his community and his country. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lydia Moore for her 38 years of service to the Boulder City Hospital.

Lydia Moore came to Boulder City Hospital on November 2, 1968 as a Certified Nursing Assistant. While working she developed a program for unit clerks. Desiring to further her education she enrolled in Clark County Community College and received her Licensed Practical Nursing degree and later returned to Clark County Community College receiving a Registered Nursing degree. She has held several supervisory positions including night Charge Nurse, House Supervisor, Medical Surgical Unit Manager, and is currently the Social Services Manager.

Lydia received the Clark County March of Dimes Nurse of the Year in 1992 and is Vice President of Lend a Hand. She continues to be an advocate for the prevention of domestic violence and is active in the Clark County immunization program for children.

Lydia has served her community continuously throughout her life and Boulder City Hospital has been privileged to benefit from her knowledge and service for the past 38 years.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Lydia Moore for her years of service to the Boulder City Hospital and the Boulder City community.

She has been a great asset to Southern Nevada and deserves recognition for her valuable efforts.