EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature were saddened to

1-2 learn of the passing of civil rights pioneer Dr. James B. McMillan; and

1-3 Whereas, James B. McMillan was born on January 14, 1917, in

1-4 Mississippi, to James Milton McMillan and the former Rosalie Gay; and

1-5 Whereas, James B. McMillan graduated from the University of Detroit

1-6 where he was the first black to play on the school’s football team; and

1-7 Whereas, James B. McMillan attended and received his Doctor of

1-8 Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, the

1-9 country’s first black medical college, and served his country in the Army

1-10 Dental Corps during World War II and the Korean War; and

1-11 Whereas, When Dr. McMillan moved to Las Vegas in the early 1950s,

1-12 he became the first black dentist in the State of Nevada; and

2-1 Whereas, At the time, the city was known as the "Mississippi of the

2-2 West" where blacks were welcome at the casinos and hotels as entertainers

2-3 and menial laborers, but not to gamble or socialize; and

2-4 Whereas, In 1960, in what is widely regarded as one of the most

2-5 historic moments in Las Vegas history, Dr. McMillan, then President of the

2-6 Las Vegas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of

2-7 Colored People, led the successful struggle to desegregate the town by

2-8 challenging the "Strip" and downtown hotels and casinos to purge

2-9 themselves of their racist policies; and

2-10 Whereas, On March 26, 1999, Clark County celebrated the 39th

2-11 anniversary of the deal brokered by James McMillan which led to the

2-12 desegregation of Las Vegas hotels and casinos; and

2-13 Whereas, In addition to numerous stints as President of the Las Vegas

2-14 chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored

2-15 People, Dr. McMillan served as a member of the Clark County School

2-16 Board from 1992 to 1996, was founder of the Las Vegas Human Rights

2-17 Commission, was the first black to serve on the State Democratic Central

2-18 Committee, was appointed to the Board of Dental Examiners of Nevada in

2-19 1971 by former Governor Mike O’Callaghan, served as past President of

2-20 the Nevada Black Chamber of Commerce, was a member of Alpha Phi

2-21 Alpha fraternity and had an elementary school named in his honor in

2-22 northwest Las Vegas; and

2-23 Whereas, This "champion of the underdog," in addition to his passion

2-24 for the civil rights movement, was an active lobbyist for more equal

2-25 representation of minorities in Clark County government and an advocate

2-26 for better treatment, housing and transportation for seniors, worked to

2-27 register blacks to vote and was instrumental in getting several schools built

2-28 in west Las Vegas; and

2-29 Whereas, Last year, Dr. McMillan’s autobiography, Fighting Back: A

2-30 Life in the Struggle for Civil Rights was released; and

2-31 Whereas, The passing of this civil rights pioneer on March 20, 1999,

2-32 left behind a city whose racial outlook has changed dramatically, in large

2-33 part through Dr. McMillan’s own stubborn, courageous efforts; and

2-34 Whereas, Dr. McMillan is survived by his beloved wife, Marie,

2-35 daughter, Jarmilla Arnold of Las Vegas, four sons, James B. McMillan III,

2-36 Chris Bramley and Jeffrey McMillan, all of Las Vegas, and Jack Daly of

2-37 Sedro Woolley, Washington, and several grandchildren and great-

2-38 grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

2-39 Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-40 Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada

2-41 Legislature convey their sympathies and condolences to Dr. James

2-42 McMillan’s wife, Marie, and his children; and be it further

3-1 Resolved, That Dr. James McMillan will long be remembered for his

3-2 commitment to the struggle for civil rights and racial equality; and be it

3-3 further

3-4 Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

3-5 copy of this resolution to Dr. McMillan’s loving wife, Marie.