Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 33

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 33-Senators James, Adler, Augustine, Coffin, Jacobsen, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O'Connell, O'Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Regan, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener

April 30, 1997
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Read and adopted

SUMMARY--Celebrates Las Vegas international Marathon. (BDR R-1479)

EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION--Celebrating the Las Vegas international Marathon.

Whereas, At noon on Saturday, February 21, 1967, a gun sounded in Las Vegas, Nevada, to commence the Las Vegas Sun "World Masters" Marathon, beginning a tradition that is now in its 32nd year; and
Whereas, This initial event was billed as a "masters" race for world-class athletes, and approximately 135 runners from Turkey, Ireland, Canada and throughout the United States answered the call to compete; and
Whereas, The 31st annual celebration of this contest, now known as the Las Vegas international Marathon, was host on February 9, 1997, to more than 6,000 runners representing 35 different countries and each state of the United States, with prizes totaling $45,000; and
Whereas, The original 26.2-mile marathon has been augmented by the inclusion of a 13.1-mile half-marathon to allow even greater participation; and
Whereas, Hank Greenspun, who was the publisher of the Las Vegas Sun at the time of the first marathon and sponsored that event, summed up the essence of marathon runners when he said they "run for the sheer thrill of the race" and are "virtuosos of the sports world because physical and mental artistry is demanded of those who undertake this grueling and determined 26 miles 385 yards"; and
Whereas, Marathons are occasions that encourage the competition of the masses with the elite, women with men and the young with the old, while providing the only sporting contest in the world in which everyone can be a winner; and
Whereas, The Las Vegas international Marathon attracts many first-time visitors to the State of Nevada through world-wide advertising in running magazines and by efforts such as the production of a 90-minute documentary that was shown on April 13, 1997, during prime time on Nippon Television Network in Japan; and
Whereas, The Las Vegas international Marathon, one of the fastest growing events in the United States, serves as a forum for fostering brotherhood and understanding among citizens of many nations in the style of special events for which Las Vegas has become famous; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the members of the 69th session of the Nevada Legislature celebrate the spirit of the Las Vegas international Marathon and express their genuine appreciation to those who sponsor, organize and participate in the annual event; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Al Boka, Race Director for the Las Vegas international Marathon, and Jim Feist, Presenting Sponsor for the Las Vegas international Marathon.