FILE NUMBER........

Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature were saddened to

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, the

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

Dental Corps during World War II and the Korean War; and

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

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

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

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

and menial laborers, but not to gamble or socialize; and

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

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

Las Vegas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of

Colored People, led the successful struggle to desegregate the town by

challenging the "Strip" and downtown hotels and casinos to purge

themselves of their racist policies; and

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

anniversary of the deal brokered by James McMillan which led to the

desegregation of Las Vegas hotels and casinos; and

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

chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alpha fraternity and had an elementary school named in his honor in

northwest Las Vegas; and

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

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

representation of minorities in Clark County government and an advocate

for better treatment, housing and transportation for seniors, worked to

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

in west Las Vegas; and

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

Life in the Struggle for Civil Rights was released; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sedro Woolley, Washington, and several grandchildren and great-

grandchildren; 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 convey their sympathies and condolences to Dr. James

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

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

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

further

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

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

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