THE EIGHTY-FIFTH DAY
Carson City (Monday), April 28, 2003
Senate called to order at 11:16 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Roll called.
All present.
Prayer by the Chaplain, Pastor Marvin Dennis.
Lord, You have given us another weekend to reach out and worship
You, but more importantly, You have given us another weekend where You can
reach out and touch us. Thank You for being with us this weekend and returning
each one safely to this Chamber to do the work of the great State of Nevada. I
pray that You will, personally, give strength, guidance, wisdom and
understanding to these who present themselves for another week of public
service. In the Name of my Savior, I pray.
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 Commerce and Labor, to which were referred Assembly Bills Nos.
206, 438, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the
same back with the recommendation: Do pass.
Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Finance, to which were referred Senate Bills Nos. 407, 493, has
had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with
the recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.
William J. Raggio, Chairman
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Government Affairs, to which were referred Assembly Bills Nos.
113, 199, 248, 409, 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 Transportation, to which were referred Assembly Bills Nos. 106,
178, 226, 299, 335, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to
report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass.
Raymond C. Shaffer, Chairman
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
By Senators Raggio, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Cegavske, Coffin, Hardy, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, Nolan, O'Connell, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Tiffany, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener:
Senate Resolution No. 7—Commending Sonny
King for his lifetime contribution as an entertainer.
Whereas, Although the
birth name “Louis Antonio Donato Schiavone” may not be readily recognizable to
many, the stage name “Sonny King” brings a smile to the faces of millions of
people who have enjoyed a performance by this world-class entertainer; and
Whereas, Since he was 15 years old,
Sonny King has been delighting audiences with songs, jokes and comedy routines
on stage in a style that is described as sincere, honest and having a “comedic
flair” with “the easy approach of Sinatra”; and
Whereas, Sonny King began his career as
a singer and emcee in Hudson, New Jersey, where he did 42 shows a week for $60;
and
Whereas, He built his act at the famed
Copacabana and Havana Madrid in New York City and, after being recognized as
having the enviable ability to relate and adapt to all audiences, was invited
to move to Las Vegas and become a part of the show at the Sahara; and
Whereas, Three years later, at the age
of 23, Sonny joined Jimmy Durante at the Desert Inn in a partnership that
lasted an incredible 28 years, with routines that never became stale because
Sonny and Jimmy genuinely enjoyed working with each other and because the
audience felt their love of showmanship and never grew tired of watching the
two of them have a good time on stage; and
Whereas, After being introduced to
Frank Sinatra, Sonny became a close friend of the “Rat Pack,” was
affectionately nicknamed the “Lounge Giant” by that group, who defined “cool”
during the early 1960s, and demonstrated his extensive talent by writing many
of the one‑liners and jokes that Sinatra used on Dean Martin when the two
of them performed their act; and
Whereas, During the course of Sonny’s
career, he has headlined at the Sahara, Desert Inn, Sands, Dunes, Frontier and
Stardust in the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” and he has probably
performed with more stars than anyone in the entertainment business, including
Red Skelton, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Danny Thomas, Burt Bacharach, Joey
Bishop, Shecky Greene and many others; and
Whereas, This artist’s domain is
certainly not limited to one city, as he has performed at such prestigious
establishments as the Chez Paree and Palmer House in Chicago, Madison Square
Garden in New York and the Diplomat in Miami; and
Whereas, Also internationally
acclaimed, Sonny King has starred at the Palladium Theater in London and the La
Scala Opera House in Milan, has headlined in Scotland, Ireland and Greece, and
has even given a command performance at Windsor Castle; and
Whereas, Not limited to live
performances, Sonny King has entertained millions through the media of
television and motion pictures, with 21 appearances on the Merv Griffin Show as
well as special guest appearances on the shows of Mike Douglas, Johnny Carson
and Ed Sullivan and roles in four movies, including the original Ocean’s 11
and Robin and the Seven Hoods; and
Whereas, In addition to the continuous
adoration and respect from his audiences, Sonny has received awards such as
induction into the Casino Legends Hall of Fame at the Tropicana and the
Lifetime Achievement Award of the Variety Club International; and
Whereas, Although one might think that
after 6 decades filled with such expense of energy and accomplishments Sonny
King would be ready to retire and “take it easy,” he still loves performing and
living his belief that “he was put on this earth to serve and entertain the
people and if he can get the man or woman in the audience to forget their
troubles for as long as he is on stage, then he is serving his purpose on this
earth”; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada,
That the members of the Senate of the 72nd Session of the Nevada Legislature do
hereby commend Sonny King for his lifetime contribution as an entertainer in
this state and throughout the world; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate of the State
of Nevada hereby honors Sonny King as a legend in his own time and appreciates
that he has unselfishly shared his talent to make the world a more enjoyable
place; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the
Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Sonny King.
Senator Raggio moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Senator Raggio requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.
Thank
you, Madam President. It is overdue that we pause to recognize a man who has
given so much of his life to the pleasure of others. There are many
entertainers labeled by the media as “Mr. or Miss Entertainment for the State
of Nevada,” but if anyone has earned the title of
“Mr. Entertainment-Nevada,” it is Sonny King.
He has
done so much during his six decades of entertaining and has contributed much to
the enjoyment of tourists and others in this State. He has also done much for
charity. Whenever someone asked him to do something, he did it without
hesitation. I have known him since the 1950s. At that time, I was District
Attorney and he was appearing at Harold’s Club as well as all the high-class
showrooms in Reno.
He
has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Variety Club International and
the Casino Legends Hall of Fame. These awards speak highly for him.
I
hope members of the Senate here, today, have had the opportunity to see Sonny
King perform. He appears at the Bootlegger Restaurant in Las Vegas on the
weekend along with Blackie Hunt and our Lt. Governor. He is still as good as
ever. He still has the pipes. He still has the jokes; some I have heard a 100
times, and they are still funny.
Sonny
has brought much joy to many people. I came to know Sonny in Reno when he was
with Jimmy Durante. The Jimmy Durante Show used to play in Reno and all over
the world. Sonny was an integral part of that show. He made the show. I am
certain most of us, except maybe some of the newer members of the Senate, had
seen Jimmy Durante at one time or another. He was a delight. The show was
off-the-cuff, and Jimmy and Sonny would joust with one another and rub noses,
putting on a truly funny show. During their show, they had a saxophone player
Vito Musso who was always the butt of the jokes from Sonny and Jimmy. We came
to know one another well. Vito would come to our house and cook wonderful
Italian food. Vito would take over the kitchen from my wife, Dotty, and mess up
every pot and pan in the kitchen. We would invite the neighbors over and have a
wonderful time.
I
appreciate Sonny’s friendship. Sonny became acquainted with Frank Sinatra and
became an honorary member of the “Rat Pack.” He was younger, so really, just a
mouse. He appeared with them at the Sands. Their performances were always fun
and after the show they would get together in the lounge and do some great
cut-ups. As was indicated in the resolution, Sonny appeared in several of their
pictures.
During all of these years, Sonny has been a real Nevadan. He
lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Peggy. I cannot describe what a great
privilege it has been to see him perform over the years. He is, in my
estimation, the best. He is “Mr. Entertainment-Nevada,” and we are proud to
honor him, to recognize his talent and his contributions to the State and to
the entertainment world.
Resolution adopted.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 11:32 a.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 11:34 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
By Senator Cegavske and Assemblyman Hettrick:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 29—Promoting the importance of early reading in raising academic achievement.
Senator Cegavske moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Assembly Bill No. 189.
Bill read by number.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 189:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 189 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT
Assembly Bill No. 55.
Bill read second time.
The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Judiciary:
Amendment No. 495.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 30, after “(i)” by inserting: “Failing to register with a local law enforcement agency as a convicted
person as required pursuant to NRS 179C.100;
(j)”.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 33, by deleting “(j)” and inserting “(k)”.
Senator Amodei moved the adoption of the amendment.
Remarks by Senator Amodei.
Amendment adopted.
Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 74.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 75.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 77.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 83.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 105.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 133.
Bill read second time.
The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Judiciary:
Amendment No. 504.
Amend section 1, page 1, line 9, by deleting “any” and inserting “certain”.
Senator Amodei moved the adoption of the amendment.
Remarks by Senator Amodei.
Amendment adopted.
Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 193.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 253.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 322.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Assembly Bill No. 520.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Assembly Bill No. 175.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 175:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 175 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 247.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senators Neal and Rawson.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 247:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 247 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 468.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senators Neal and Raggio.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 468:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 468 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 531.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 531:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 531 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Signing
of Bills and Resolutions
There being no objections, the President and Secretary signed Assembly Bills Nos. 6, 19, 42, 111, 139, 140, 145, 177, 201, 302, 306.
GUESTS EXTENDED PRIVILEGE OF SENATE FLOOR
On request of Senator Raggio, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Sonny King, Peggy King, Donald Schiavone, Eugenie Schiavone, Lou Schiavone, Annabella Schiavone, Shannon Ward and Amanda Ward.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate adjourn until Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at 11 a.m.
Motion carried.
Senate adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Approved: Lorraine
T. Hunt
President of the Senate
Attest: Claire J. Clift
Secretary of the Senate