Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 24–Senators Raggio, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Cegavske, Coffin, Hardy, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, Nolan, O’Connell, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Tiffany, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener

 

March 25, 2003

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Joint Sponsors: Assemblymen Griffin, Anderson, Andonov, Angle, Arberry, Atkinson, Beers, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Chowning, Christensen, Claborn, Collins, Conklin, Geddes, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goicoechea, Goldwater, Grady, Gustavson, Hardy, Hettrick, Horne, Knecht, Koivisto, Leslie, Mabey, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, McCleary, Mortenson, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Perkins, Pierce, Sherer, Weber and Williams

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Read and Adopted

 

SUMMARY—Memorializes Nevada businessman and civic leader Tom “Big Dog” Wiesner. (BDR R‑239)

 

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

 

Senate Concurrent RESOLUTION—Memorializing Nevada businessman and civic leader Tom “Big Dog” Wiesner.

 

1-1  Whereas, The residents of the State of Nevada were deeply

1-2  saddened to learn of the passing of longtime resident, businessman

1-3  and civic leader, Tom “Big Dog” Wiesner; and

1-4  Whereas, Tom Wiesner was born February 28, 1939, in

1-5  Wausau, Wisconsin, later moving to Neenah, Wisconsin, with his

1-6  family, where he graduated from Neenah High School in 1957; and

1-7  Whereas, Before graduating from the University of Wisconsin

1-8  with a bachelor’s degree in education, in addition to other

1-9  accomplishments, Tom Wiesner captained the Badger football team

1-10  to a Big 10 title in 1959 and to the Rose Bowl in 1960; and

2-1  Whereas, In 1963, following a brief stint in professional

2-2  football, Tom Wiesner moved to Las Vegas where he married Lynn

2-3  Geary, a schoolteacher, in 1965, and became the proud father of

2-4  daughter Kari and son Kurt; and

2-5  Whereas, Tom Wiesner’s various business ventures prospered,

2-6  including real estate investment and the development of the Las

2-7  Vegas Athletic Clubs and a chain of Wisconsin-themed restaurants,

2-8  as did his commitment to the betterment and economic development

2-9  of the Las Vegas community, including his involvement with the

2-10  Clark County Commission, Nevada Development Authority,

2-11  Nevada Chamber of Commerce, Greater Las Vegas Chamber of

2-12  Commerce and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors’ Authority;

2-13  and

2-14      Whereas, Tom Wiesner showed an equal commitment to

2-15  developing educational resources in Las Vegas by serving on the

2-16  Clark County Community College Foundation, and then becoming a

2-17  charter member of the UNLV Foundation and later a UNLV

2-18  Foundation Trustee Emeritus and finally, because of his

2-19  contributions, he was inducted into the UNLV Foundation’s Silver

2-20  Medallion Society and received the UNLV Silver State Award; and

2-21      Whereas, In addition to supporting education in Nevada, Tom

2-22  Wiesner also developed a love for his hometown team, the UNLV

2-23  Running Rebels, serving on the UNLV Football Foundation’s

2-24  Advisory Board and, in recognition of his contributions to the sports

2-25  programs at UNLV, he was inducted into the UNLV Athletic Hall

2-26  of Fame and the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, and even

2-27  had a street named after him, Wiesner Way; and

2-28      Whereas, While Tom Wiesner was a big supporter of the

2-29  UNLV Rebels, his heart remained true to his University of

2-30  Wisconsin Badgers, a loyalty that was exemplified by his hosting of

2-31  the Badger Desert Golf Classic, a Wisconsin alumni fundraiser, for

2-32  the last 11 years in Las Vegas and his role in coordinating football

2-33  games between Wisconsin and UNLV, drawing thousands of

2-34  Wisconsin fans to Las Vegas for the games; and

2-35      Whereas, Among the many charities to which Tom Wiesner

2-36  devoted his time and provided financial support were the Boys and

2-37  Girls Clubs of Clark County, the United Way, the American Cancer

2-38  Society and Easter Seals of Clark County; and

2-39      Whereas, In 1996, Tom Wiesner ran unopposed for a seat on

2-40  the Board of Regents, where he remained a member until February

2-41  2002, when he resigned to spend time with his family, and in May

2-42  2002, the Board of Regents recognized his many contributions to the

2-43  State of Nevada by naming him a recipient of its highest honor, the

2-44  Distinguished Nevadan Award; and

3-1  Whereas, In addition to his love for Las Vegas and all things

3-2  Wisconsin, Tom Wiesner also had a love for the GOP, where he

3-3  served for nearly 2 decades as Republican National Committeeman,

3-4  was well known for his financial and moral support of the party, and

3-5  was named Republican Man of the Year in 1994; and

3-6  Whereas, Following his passing in June, UNLV instituted the

3-7  Tom Wiesner Award, to be given to a senior football player who

3-8  most exemplifies the leadership and courage that Tom Wiesner

3-9  displayed throughout his life; and

3-10      Whereas, Tom Wiesner is survived by his beloved wife, Lynn,

3-11  daughter Kari and son Kurt, all of Las Vegas, as well as a

3-12  granddaughter and five brothers; now, therefore, be it

3-13      Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the

3-14  Assembly Concurring, That the members of the Senate and

3-15  Assembly extend their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Tom “Big

3-16  Dog” Wiesner; and be it further

3-17      Resolved, That Tom Wiesner will long be remembered for his

3-18  compassion, honesty, quick wit and love of life, as well as his love

3-19  for the GOP, Las Vegas and all things Wisconsin; and be it further

3-20      Resolved, That the people of the State of Nevada will long

3-21  remember Tom Wiesner’s generosity to this state and to his

3-22  community; and be it further

3-23      Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit

3-24  a copy of this resolution to Tom Wiesner’s beloved wife, Lynn.

 

3-25  H