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 deeply

1-2 saddened by the passing of Matthew C. Benson on February 9, 1998; and

1-3 Whereas, Matthew C. Benson was born in Ely, Nevada, on April 27,

1-4 1922, and graduated from White Pine County High School in 1940; and

1-5 Whereas, During World War II, Matt Benson served as a United States

1-6 Navy Communications Officer in the South Pacific Amphibious Forces,

1-7 and it was during this time of service that Matt Benson married Peggy

1-8 Joyce Sorenson on a 5-day leave in June 1944; and

2-1 Whereas, After graduating from Utah State Agricultural College with a

2-2 Bachelor of Science degree in range management, Matt Benson worked for

2-3 3 years with the United States Soil Conservation Service as a range

2-4 conservationist; and

2-5 Whereas, Matt Benson was hired as assistant manager and then as

2-6 manager of the Marble Ranches in Elko County from 1954 to 1964,

2-7 followed by 24 years as manager of the Heritage Ranch in Gardnerville

2-8 which retained him as a consultant after his retirement in 1988; and

2-9 Whereas, Matt Benson was honored as Man of the Year for Carson

2-10 Valley Days in 1986 and served as Carson Valley Days Grand Marshal in

2-11 1987; and

2-12 Whereas, An active member of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association

2-13 and the National Cattlemen’s Association for 30 years, Matt Benson was

2-14 honored as Cattleman of the Year in 1990; and

2-15 Whereas, Matt Benson’s knowledge of ranching and agriculture was a

2-16 tremendous asset to the community as he gave his time and energy as a

2-17 member of the Douglas County Farm Bureau and the Eureka County Farm

2-18 Bureau, both of which he also served as president, the Heil Commission for

2-19 Wild Horse Preservation, the University of Nevada Agricultural College

2-20 Advisory Committee and various other committees and organizations; and

2-21 Whereas, To many who knew him, Matt Benson typified the model of

2-22 a Nevada cowboy and rancher who loved sharing his experiences by

2-23 organizing trail rides and hayrides, during which he would inevitably be

2-24 part of a sing-along that always included, at his request, the Nevada state

2-25 song, "Home Means Nevada"; and

2-26 Whereas, Matt Benson is survived by his wife, Peggy, his children,

2-27 Ken Benson of Baker, Oregon, Julie Ann Ward of Sheridan, Montana,

2-28 Nancy Alley of Gardnerville, his brother, Jim Benson of Ely and eight

2-29 grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

2-30 Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

2-31 Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada

2-32 Legislature express their deepest sympathy to the family of Matthew C.

2-33 Benson; and be it further

2-34 Resolved, That Matt Benson will be remembered for the many ways he

2-35 shared his love for and knowledge of ranching as well as for the laughter

2-36 and fun he brought into the lives of those who knew him; and be it further

2-37 Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy

2-38 of this resolution to his wife, Peggy, and his children, Ken, Nancy and

2-39 Julie.