THE EIGHTY-FIRST DAY
Carson City(Thursday), April 22, 1999
Senate called to order at 11:18 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Roll called.
All present except Senators Porter and Townsend, who were excused.
Prayer by the Chaplain, the Reverend Tom Rahme.
Father God:
We thank You for this new day that You have created for us, with new challenges but also new opportunities. Lord, You have instructed us to live in peace through the Law given to Moses and a new Law through Christ Jesus. I ask Your blessing on the Senate and that their decisions be acceptable in Your sight.
I pray in Your Son’s Name.
Amen.
Pledge of allegiance to the Flag.
Senator Raggio moved that further reading of the Journal be dispensed with, and the President and Secretary be authorized to make the necessary corrections and additions.
Motion carried.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Madam President:
Your Committee on Government Affairs, to which was referred Assembly Bill No. 374, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass.
Ann O’Connell, Chairman
Madam President:
Your Committee on Human Resources and Facilities, to which was referred Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 6, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Be adopted.
Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman
Madam President:
Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Assembly Bill No. 485, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass.
Mark A. James, Chairman
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly Chamber, Carson City, April 21, 1999
To the Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day passed Senate Bills Nos. 146, 232, 347, 361.
Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day passed, as amended, Assembly Bill No. 348.
Susan Furlong Reil
Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
By Senators Raggio, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Porter, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington, Wiener and Assemblymen Humke, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Evans, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Segerblom, Thomas, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 32—Memorializing pioneer rancher and native Nevadan Roger Teglia.
Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature were saddened to learn of the passing of Roger Teglia on January 20, 1999; and
Whereas, Roger Teglia, a pioneer rancher and native Nevadan, was born on December 9, 1902, in Dayton, to Guilio and Theresa Teglia, Italian immigrants; and
Whereas, As a child, Roger Teglia attended Dayton School and worked on the family ranch located on the Carson River until 1920 when the Teglia family moved to Sparks and purchased land on Sullivan Lane to continue the family ranching business; and
Whereas, In the 1930s, Roger Teglia established the first poultry processing and wholesale business and the first wholesale frozen food business in Northern Nevada; and
Whereas, Roger Teglia’s conservation ethic led him to found the Nevada Fish and Game Association in 1932, the group which later created legislation that was passed in 1947 establishing what is now the Division of Wildlife of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and
Whereas, Roger Teglia introduced chukar partridge to Nevada in 1934 and established pheasant, chukar and fish planting programs statewide; and
Whereas, Though Roger Teglia would be the first to admit he did not accomplish his many endeavors alone, it is true, nonetheless, that he did more to establish and develop wild gamebird populations, wetlands and recreation areas in Nevada than any other person before or since; and
Whereas, The results of Roger Teglia’s efforts can be seen everywhere today, from Lake Mead to the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge, from Virginia Lake Park in Reno to Paradise Lake in Sparks, and in the chukar populations that now inhabit all the western states; and
Whereas, Roger Teglia served his community as a Commissioner on the Regional Planning Commission in Washoe County for 10 years, including as Chairman from 1966 to 1969, as Republican National Finance Chairman for Nevada in the 1950s and early 1960s, on the City of Reno Housing Authority for 12 years, on the State Board of Forestry and Fire Control for 5 years and on the Washoe County Board of Adjustment for many years; and
Whereas, Over the years, Roger Teglia received commendations and letters of thanks from a long list of admirers, including Presidents Eisenhower, Bush and Reagan, Interior Secretary McKay, United States Senators Pittman, McCarran, Laxalt and Bryan, and Governors Pittman, Russell and List; and
Whereas, Roger Teglia is survived by his wife, Ruth, a son, Wayne, and a daughter, Linda Forman, all of Sparks, sons, Dave of Santa Rosa, California, Dan of Los Angeles, California, and many more loving family members; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature do hereby extend their sincere condolences to the family and friends of this native Nevadan who truly loved and honored his state; and be it further
Resolved, That Nevadans will long remember Roger Teglia for the thoughtful and valuable contributions he offered the State of Nevada throughout his life especially in the area of wildlife conservation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Roger Teglia’s loving wife, Ruth, and his children, Wayne, Linda, Dave and Dan.
Senator Raggio moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senators Raggio, Jacobsen and Mathews.
Senator Raggio requested that the following remarks be entered in the Journal.
Senator Raggio:
It is most appropriate that we memorialize Roger Teglia. Roger spent a great part of his life in these legislative halls both here and in the old legislative building. There was no greater advocate for game conservation and the establishment of game management in this State than Roger Teglia. He persevered over the years to create what we have in this State today to make sure that our game population thrived and to make sure that there was proper game management and that the native game and birds of our State were preserved. As an active sportsman himself, he brought in the species that we now call chukar. I am sure some of you have probably heard me talk about chukar. I want you all to know that that is not the only reason I brought forth this resolution. He was an ardent sportsman. Certainly from what you have heard on this resolution, he could well be called the father of fish and game in this State. We would not have today the wildlife management program and would not have the Department of Wildlife. It was through his efforts that the initial Nevada Fish and Game Association was created in 1932. We are going back some 60 years. I feel a great affinity to Roger, not only because I knew him during most of my adult life, but he and my mother were both raised in Dayton. She was a little bit older, but they were both native Nevadans and lived in the Dayton area. I knew him early on when I was a youngster. He was one of northern Nevada’s most prominent businessmen. His business was known as Farmer’s Exchange which dealt in poultry and eggs. He became one of the leading citizens. Whatever the issue was in northern Nevada and particularly in the Truckee Meadows area, Roger was in the forefront. He was a contributor. He was a person who put financial support where his mouth was, and you could count on Roger to be an important part of the solution whenever there was a problem. His family, of course, is large. His son, Wayne, headed our Department of Motor Vehicles for a number of years. Roger and his wife, Ruth, were married for 55 years. It was rather sad that just before this session started that Roger passed away. It is most fitting that we just pause to recognize the significant contributions that Roger made. He was outspoken. You always knew where Roger stood on an issue. He did not mince words. Like former Governor Michael O’Callaghan, he would call you at any hour to let you know how he felt about something. When I was district attorney, I heard from him often, sometimes early, sometimes late. When I was a legislator, I heard from him, and he was buttonholing people in these hallways. It was always for something that was for the good of this State and not for his own personal benefit. He left a great heritage and was a great contributor to this State.
Senator Jacobsen:
Madam President and members of the Senate, it is always a real pleasure for me to think back to when I started in the old building and the people who were the old masters, and certainly, Roger was one of those. I never knew anybody who was more tenacious than he was. I almost think that chukar could have been his middle name because he had that kind of ability to fly off the handle and get where he was going in a hurry. Once he got hold of you here in the halls, you’d been had. It was impossible to say, “no” to Roger because he was so persistent. If you did not agree, he would follow you wherever you went until you agreed that his position was the right one. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of knowing Wayne but did not know Linda until this morning. He bragged about his wife and indicated that she was really the mastermind and forced him to do all those things. I don’t know if that was true or not. What a special guy he was. When it came to wildlife and natural resources, he was the top of the pile. I was always amazed at how forward he was. If you did not get the message, you were not human. He used some strong words, at times, as I am sure the family was well aware of. He was just a special person and honoring him today is one of my real pleasures and to see the family here is a joy for me. I certainly would ask you to adopt the resolution.
Senator Mathews:
These two old-timers think that they are the only ones who know the old-timers in the State of Nevada. I probably know most of the old-timers that they knew because I worked in the hospital for many years in the emergency room, and all those family names came through because it was the only hospital with an emergency room.
I met Mr. Teglia when I lived over near Montello Street, and the Teglia pond had fish near what we now call Paradise Park. It was a gift to the city from Mr. Teglia. I remember walking down his dirt road with my three little kids and my fishing pole. We went down because people told us we could go fishing in that pond. We started fishing, and he never said a word when you went in; but when you came out, you had to pay for the fish you caught. I was pleading with everything I had because I didn’t have any money, and we needed these fish for dinner. I have these little hungry kids. He said take those fish and go home. We became good friends after that because after the city had taken the pond over and it became known as Paradise Pond, he called because we kept losing water. I am very aware that he would call you and was very to the point. He did not waste a lot of time but just got right to the point. He said, "That pond is losing water because that well is pumping it out of the aquifer. Don’t let them tell you any other way." As it turned out, he was right. I enjoyed him from that very first moment because he did not make me pay for my fish that time, but I was ready to pay the rest of the time.
Resolution adopted.
Senator Raggio moved that all rules be suspended and that Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 32 be immediately transmitted to the Assembly.
Motion carried unanimously.
By Senators Porter, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington, Wiener and Assemblymen Tiffany, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Evans, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Segerblom, Thomas, Von Tobel and Williams:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 33—Memorializing accomplished athlete and dedicated public servant, Sheila Renee Tarr-Smith.
Whereas, The members of this legislative body were deeply saddened by the untimely passing on August 15, 1998, of Sheila Renee Tarr-Smith, an accomplished athlete and dedicated public servant; and
Whereas, Sheila Renee Tarr was born on June 14, 1964, in Bakersfield, California, to proud parents, Gerald and Linda Tarr; and
Whereas, In 1984, Sheila was recruited by and subsequently attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on an athletic scholarship for women’s track and field events; and
Whereas, In 1984, Sheila was named the conference champion of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association for the heptathlon and was selected as an alternate to the United States Olympic Team; and
Whereas, That same year, Sheila was the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s champion in the heptathlon, a seven-event competition that includes the 100-meter hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash, 800-meter run and javelin; and
Whereas, This collegiate championship was the first ever won by any athlete from the State of Nevada; and
Whereas, In 1985, Sheila was selected athlete of the year by the Pacific Coast Athletic Association for the second consecutive year and was runner-up in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s heptathlon; and
Whereas, Sheila Renee Tarr-Smith was employed by the Clark County Fire Department in 1989 and was one of the first professional women firefighters in the State of Nevada, dedicating herself to the service and safety of the residents of Southern Nevada while helping to pave the way for women to work in nontraditional fields of employment; and
Whereas, Sheila Renee Tarr-Smith was recognized for her outstanding athletic abilities in 1997 when she was inducted into both the Athletic Hall of Fame of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the Southern Nevada Athletic Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, In September 1997, Sheila was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; and
Whereas, The following year on May 8, 1998, Sheila married Steve Smith of Las Vegas, but tragically, only 3 months later, succumbed to this fatal disease at the young age of 34 years; and
Whereas, On April 3, 1999, the athletic track and field facilities of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will be named the Myron Partridge Track and Sheila Tarr-Smith Field in memory of the accomplishments of Sheila Renee Tarr-Smith in track and field events; and
Whereas, The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, currently awards a scholarship in Sheila’s name to upcoming athletes who have excelled in track and field events; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sheila Renee Tarr-Smith; and be it further
Resolved, That Sheila Renee Tarr-Smith will long be remembered for her outstanding contributions as a person, her dedication to helping others as a public servant and the tremendous accomplishments she attained on the athletic field during her lifetime; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Sheila Renee Tarr-Smith’s loving parents, Gerald and Linda Tarr, and husband, Steve Smith.
Senator Carlton moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senators Carlton and Coffin.
Senator Carlton requested that the following remarks be entered in the Journal.
Senator Carlton:
Sheila was a student at University of Nevada Las Vegas, and as you can tell by the resolution, she was one of the most outstanding athletes in the United States.
But not only was she a great athlete, she was also an outstanding person. She worked as a firefighter for the Clark County Fire Department for nine years, and during that time, she was able to give back to the community. She was extremely well respected by her peers while working in a field not generally considered for females. She was very helpful in training and teaching other females to become firefighters, and many of these women have since been hired by fire departments in this State.
She was actively involved in other parts of the community also. She regularly volunteered her time to go to Child Haven in Las Vegas and work with the children there. She taught and worked with kids interested in track and field competition. She had a great love for children and animals.
The disease that attacked Sheila was a very debilitating one that affected her muscles and made it difficult to complete even the most simple of physical tasks, a very frustrating situation for someone that was once a world class athlete.
She left many memories for her family and friends throughout the Las Vegas area and will be sadly missed. Please take a moment to recognize her accomplishments.
Senator Coffin:
Thank you, Madam President. I was privileged to know Sheila in the early 80s. In the years when I was concerned about my physical appearance, long since past, I did work out with weights at George Eifferman’s Health Club in Las Vegas. I had the privilege of seeing Sheila, perhaps, even before her husband Steve did. She was greatly admired by all the men at the club. Before Sheila’s appearance, it was traditionally an all-male bastion. We knew her to be an athlete without peer. She had a chance to become an Olympian, representing our country in a sport requiring all around athletic ability. As you see from the resolution, seven events are required in the heptathlon. You have to be good at every one of them. I watched her work out with dedication. She had the support of every man that worked out there. She broke the barrier at George Eifferman’s because more women began to work out there as a result of her being there. It became appreciated that women could become body builders and benefit, not just as people who would build muscles, but as people who would enhance their athletic abilities. Her physical attraction was obvious, but her true maturity was known to her family, the people who understood how deep she was.
It’s just a shame; she almost made the heptathlon event for the finals. My wife and I attended the 1984 Olympics, and we were rooting for Sheila to make it. She couldn’t because of a matter of a few points. We will always remember her. We were not surprised she chose to become a fireman. That was a profession that required the talent and personal charm and skill that is a part of that job. She could carry a hose as good as any person. She was truly a proud representative of the fire fighters and a great alumnus of our university system. How she died by an illness, I don’t understand. I’m sure it is one that we will someday understand and find a cure so that Sheila’s death will not have been in vain. To the family, I certainly do give my heartfelt gratitude for the support you gave her during her illness. It all struck suddenly. I know it was a surprise to everyone in the community. She made hundreds of friends. Many of whom you don’t know, but for those men who knew her in the early 80s and saw her set an example for all womanhood, she will never be forgotten.
Resolution adopted.
Senator Carlton moved that all rules be suspended and that Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 33 be immediately transmitted to the Assembly.
Motion carried unanimously.
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly Chamber, Carson City, April 22, 1999
To the Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 48.
Susan Furlong Reil
Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 48―memorializing former legislator and distinguished public servant, Raymond L. Knisley.
Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature were deeply saddened by the death of long-time Lovelock resident and distinguished public servant, Raymond L. Knisley, on May 4, 1998; and
Whereas, Ray Knisley was born on August 22, 1898, to parents, Randolph Hughes and Minnie Waggoner Knisley, in Gentry County, Missouri, on a farm that years earlier had been surveyed by pioneer legend Daniel Boone; and
Whereas, At an early age Ray Knisley rode by horseback from the Midwest to California where he began what would become a 50-year career starting as a polo pony trainer and working into a land developer for the family of Nevada pioneer, Lucky Baldwin; and
Whereas, In 1921, Ray Knisley was sent to Lake Tahoe where the Baldwin family owned property to try to convince early landowners at the lake to convey portions of their land to the Federal Government in an attempt to preserve a portion of the pristine Lake Tahoe for future generations; and
Whereas, Thirty years later in 1951, the Federal Government purchased 4,700 acres at Lake Tahoe and began creating recreational areas including Camp Richardson, making Ray Knisley’s dream a reality; and
Whereas, On September 14, 1930, Raymond Knisley and Florence Richardson were married and from this union that lasted 37 years until Florence Knisley’s death in 1967, came two daughters, Karen Knisley of Boulder City and Barbara Knisley Lespade of Elko; and
Whereas, Ray Knisley was elected to the Assembly representing Pershing County in 1959 and served in five regular sessions (1959, 1960, 1961, 1963 and 1965) and three special sessions (1964, 1965 and 1966); and
Whereas, As a legislator, Ray Knisley proposed that a new standing committee was needed to handle state, county and city affairs and the Assembly Standing Committee on Government Affairs was created with Ray Knisley as its first chairman; and
Whereas, Ray Knisley also developed the oversight process for the issuance of general obligation bonds by counties, a process that is still used today and he worked to improve education including supporting the development of the Desert Research Institute; and
Whereas, After his service as an Assemblyman, Ray Knisley continued to be involved in state issues and spent several years offering his wisdom and insight concerning proposed legislation to many Legislators, including the late Senator James I. Gibson; and
Whereas, Ray Knisley was appointed to the Lake Tahoe Regional Planning Agency by former Governor Mike O’Callaghan and the years he served in this position provided the people of Nevada with outstanding representation; and
Whereas, In 1967, Raymond Knisley was named a “Distinguished Nevadan,” at the graduation ceremonies of the University of Nevada, Reno; and
Whereas, Ray Knisley was deeply committed to helping his community and this state and throughout the years he served as Director of the American National Cattlemen’s Association, Director and Vice President of the Nevada Cattle Association, Director and Vice President of the Nevada Taxpayers’ Association, Director of the Nevada Safety Council, Director of the Pershing County Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Tahoe-Sierra Chamber of Commerce and member of the Farm Bureau of Pershing County, Prospectors Club of Reno, Lovelock Lions Club and President of the County Farm Bureau; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature hereby express their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Raymond L. Knisley; and be it further
Resolved, That Ray Knisley will long be remembered for his many years of distinguished service to the State of Nevada; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Ray Knisley’s daughters, Karen Knisley and Barbara Knisley Lespade.
Senator Rhoads moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senators Rhoads, Raggio, Neal and Jacobsen.
Senator Rhoads requested that the following remarks be entered in the Journal.
Senator Rhoads:
Ray Knisley was probably the most knowledgeable legislator I have ever known, particularly, with regard to our tax structure. Boy could we use him, now during these next months, he would be very valuable. The last time I talked with Ray was in Las Vegas at a taxpayers’ annual board of directors’ meeting. He told me his goal was to make it into the year 2000. That would allow him to celebrate two millenniums and live in three different centuries. He was born in 1898. He was 99 years old when he died, barely missed being 100 years old. He used to come to Elko in the summer in his big bus which he would park next to his daughter Barbara’s house. He would call me several times with ideas he wanted to discuss with me. He was such a delightful person to talk to. Even when he was in his 90s, he drove his bus back to Las Vegas to live with his other daughter. He was active up to the time he died.
I recall my first legislative session in 1977. I was the only newly elected republican legislator there during the President Jimmy Carter landslide. There were only five republican assemblymen and three republican state senators—Senators Raggio, Dodge and Young. Ray worked very closely with the majority leader of the opposing party, Jim Gibson, which really troubled me at first. He guided me through that session in many ways. I recall several times this session, when looking at the video screen, and remember behind that screen is where Ray’s office used to be. He was instrumental in what our majority leader was doing. Ray helped me in my second term in the Assembly to override the Governor’s veto on a public lands’ issue even though I was of the minority party. Both houses were controlled by the other party. Ray lined up the Democrats to vote with me in overriding the veto.
Ray had such a good handle on legislative history and tax measures that everyone sought out his advice. He was nonpartisan. He always wanted to do what was best for the State of Nevada. Ray was what many of us would like to leave as a legacy. He was a man who looked out for the whole State, and his knowledge and knack to reach compromises on different issues will be surely missed.
Senator Raggio:
I would like to also acknowledge the great contribution that Ray Knisley made not only as a legislator but for all he did for all of us in both parties of the Legislature, as Senator Rhoads has indicated. When I arrived here, Ray Knisley was already recognized as the one you needed to talk to about taxes, tax issues and management of government. He contributed this knowledge not only while a legislator but on through the following years. I came to know him because of Jim Gibson who was for all of those years the majority leader. Whenever we had a conference, and we used to meet frequently, Ray Knisley was always there. He was a storehouse of information. He had a better handle on what made this State operate, and how it came to be on any issue. I marveled at how he could marshal all that information together.
He was a prime architect of the tax structure of the State. He had instant recall in putting numbers together. In his later years, when we became the majority party, I had a number of occasions to call on Ray Knisley for advice on education and tax issues. Whatever it was, you know you could get a good response from him, and often, the answer to some of these problems.
I’m kind of amused today because Barbara handed me a little slip of paper. In 1983, we had a dinner of the Nevada Taxpayers’ Association. As I am known to do on occasion, I had said to Ray Knisley, “Could you let me have $20.” He did. He was very accommodating, but then he hounded me. He looked upon it as a loan. At the dinner that night, he prevailed upon me in a nice way. Being the kind of guy I am, I wrote him out a check to Ray Knisley for $20. He was so glad to get this check. He stuck it in his pocket and said, “Ha!” The next day he showed it to Jim Gibson and said, “See, I got the 20 bucks back from him.” Gibson looked at it and said, “You damn fool, Knisley, he didn’t sign it!” Ray’s daughter Barbara brought the check with her today to give to me. I’m going to treasure it and put it in my scrapbook. I feel I owe Ray Knisley, as a representative of this State, a lot more than $20. I owe him for what he did for the legislative process and this State. Thank you.
Senator Neal:
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, when I came here in 1973, I met Ray Knisley. He was very prominent in the body even though he no longer held public office. Over the years, he took an interest in me and in some of the things I was doing and attempting to do. One time, he asked me to come over to Jim Gibson’s office and showed me a picture he had of a black jockey. As I recall, the guy’s name was Murphy. I don’t think he was Irish. He was very proud of that picture because Ray had placed bets on this gentleman in horseraces. I knew Ray as a very gentle individual and, as has been indicated, a very knowledgeable person. I had also come to know him as a very good friend.
At the time of his death, he sent word to me. This was in 1998 when I happened to run for the governor’s office. Ray sent word to me, by one of his doctors who had visited him, and the word was, “Joe, I’m glad you’re doing what you’re doing. Go after the bastards.” He was speaking about the gaming industry. He was of the opinion, same as I, that they were not paying their fair share. I attended his funeral. One of his daughters told me that he had indicated that if he had lived, he would have loved to have been my campaign manager. I would just like to say in closing, “Ray, if you’re listening, I did go after the bastards. I’m still going after them.” Thank you.
Senator Jacobsen:
Madam President and members of the Senate, what a joy it is to sit here and reminisce about some of the old-timers. I’d have to say Ray Knisley, when I started in 1963, was a legend. I don’t think that anybody walked into the old Capitol building without his permission. He seemed to own everything. I looked up to him. He was one of my mentors. The democrats ran the show in both houses and the Governor was Grant Sawyer back in those days. Ray had a broad-range knowledge of taxation, as well as of the boys’ school in Elko and the girls’ school in Caliente. He had a partner that joined with him, Cyril Bastian, who came out of Caliente.
Ray had the ability to push you to the forefront so that you’d be taking the heat. You’d then look around, and he was nowhere to be found.
One of the things I remember is the little place that was located on the corner of this lot before the legislative building was here called the Melody Lane. If you were a freshman or a newcomer, the initiation was a straight shot of Wild Turkey. I wasn’t much of a drinker, other than milk probably, and he took us newcomers over the first day of session and lined up the straight shots on the bar. I told him, “Ray, I don’t think I can hack this. You got a piece of orange or something like that to go with it as a chaser?” He said, “Young man if you can’t keep that down without barfing, you’re out of here.”
Over the years, I found him to be very forceful. Mel Close was one of his students along with Senator Gibson. He had the ability, even though Grant Sawyer was the Governor, to tell him what to do from the background, not that Governor Sawyer always abided by his thoughts. He loved the process, the legislature and, especially, Nevada.
Resolution adopted.
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE
Assembly Bill No. 348.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
REMARKS FROM THE FLOOR
Senator Wiener requested that her remarks be entered in the Journal.
Madam President and Senate colleagues, I had planned to give this floor statement yesterday. However, in light of the very distinctive nature of yesterday’s Senate activities, I decided to give my statement at the closure of this session.
Two days ago, when I was leaving the legislative building, our deputy sergeant-at-arms, Sam Palazzolo, stopped me on the stairwell to ask me a question. “What do you think about what happened in Colorado today?” he asked. I’m sure I looked a bit disoriented and responded I didn’t know what he was talking about. Sam’s brief explanation prompted within me the emotion-charged reaction: not again. Yet, another school tragedy. Yet, another community rocked to its core by youth-imposed violence. Yet, another day in American history touched by an event we once said could never happen in this country.
It took me a moment to absorb the sketchy details of what had occurred in Littleton, Colorado. Almost immediately, I was struck with the reality of how insulated our lives can be here at the Legislature. We do our business, immersed in the daily hustle of bill drafting, committee meetings, floor sessions, appointments, telephone calls and exchanges with lobbyists. How easy it is for us to become segregated from what is occurring in our own State and our own communities…connected only by technology, which can give us a false sense of involvement-by-proxy.
Tuesday’s events also closed the gap of many months for me, as I listened to the President talk about the White House Conference on School Safety held last October in Washington, D.C., which I attended. Because I was the only state legislator in the country invited to participate, I didn’t know many people. Actually, I didn’t know anyone. So I made my way through the crowd, searching for someone else who looked as out of place as I initially felt.
My first acquaintance was the superintendent of schools from Springfield, Oregon. We’ll never forget what happened at one of his schools. My second conference ally, with whom I spent nearly two hours, was a woman who looked as foreign to the experience as I. Her name was Suzanne Wilson.
Only hours after the horrific events in Littleton, by way of MSNBC, I saw Suzanne once again. As I watched her talk about the Columbine High School massacre, I was reminded of the courage she shared with me when talking about losing her 11-year-old daughter Brittany in a similar tragedy in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
So often, we sit in this chamber and listen to impassioned speeches about everything from special license plates to global warming. We speak from the heart, as our particular cause is addressed in legislative fashion.
Today I stand before you, not with a bill to address this kind of tragedy, but with a plea. Each of us, in our senatorial role, has the opportunity to make a REAL difference in the lives of troubled children. We may not be able to change the masses, but our involvement with even one child can change the course of history.
In the midst of our busy schedules, we need to visit schools, talk with kids, LISTEN to kids, work with teachers and administrators and interact with parent-teacher organizations. Our message must be clear. We need to inspire children to talk, and…adults to listen. We must encourage children to talk with adults they trust when they feel threatened or suspect violence or fear other perilous behavior from their peers. And each entrusted adult—whether a parent, teacher, or senator—must then take action. Certainly, there is the “risk” of idle talk. However, it only takes that one time for tragedy to strike when we do not respond to a child’s cry for help.
As you know, I write books for and about children and teenagers. My plea to you is not a new one. Teenagers across the country have shared with me their frustrations. Often, it is their own sense of self-isolation that prompts them to make bad choices.
This is why I was not surprised that the perpetrators of Tuesday’s numbing event at Columbine High School were members of what is known as the Trench Coat Mafia—a youth gang of sorts—with these violators labeling themselves as outcasts.
I am not saying that my plea for our involvement could have prevented Tuesday’s nightmare. However, I am saying that the more we can encourage our children to talk to us and trust us, the more we will know about what is happening in our schools and…in their lives. With involvement and information, we can reach a vast majority of our children. Without these commitments to them—and for them—we succumb to…“whatever will be will be.” As well as I have grown to know you, my Senate colleagues, I am confident that you would never settle for the latter.
It is my hope that today, as we depart these chambers, each of us will make a strong commitment to the level of involvement I have solicited…one child at a time. And as we leave the Senate today, it is my final request that we leave in memory of—and support for—those whose lives will forever be changed by Tuesday’s tragedy. Thank you.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Signing of Bills and Resolutions
There being no objections, the President and Secretary signed Assembly Bills Nos. 28, 144, 345, 390, 391.
GUESTS EXTENDED PRIVILEGE OF SENATE FLOOR
On request of Senator Carlton, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Steve Smith, Gerald Tarr and Linda Tarr.
On request of Senator James, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Annie James.
On request of Senator Mathews, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Bertha Woodward and Eddy Scott.
On request of Senator Raggio, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Ruth Teglia, Wayne R. Teglia, Kara T. Teglia, Dan Teglia, Linda Foreman, Robert Foreman, Andrea Foreman, Sara Foreman, Micah Foreman, Derek Teglia, Amanda Teglia and Christopher Teglia.
On request of President Hunt, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Wilma Raynsford.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate adjourn until Friday, April 23, 1999 at 10:30 a.m. and that it do so as requested by Senator Wiener in memory and support of all the students and families of Littleton, Colorado and also Mary J. Lee of Burlington, Iowa.
Motion carried.
Senate adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
Approved: Lorraine T. Hunt
President of the Senate
Attest: Janice L. Thomas