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 long-time Las Vegas resident and Nevada sports

1-3 legend William "Wildcat" Morris on July 17, 1998; and

1-4 Whereas, William Wesley Morris was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on

1-5 September 13, 1927, and moved to Las Vegas to live with his sister Sheila

1-6 in 1937, later referring to himself jokingly as a "wedding present" for his

1-7 sister and her new husband; and

1-8 Whereas, Bill Morris was educated in the Las Vegas school system

1-9 and developed an ardent love for the game of football that culminated in his

1-10 being voted Most Valuable Player on the 1944 Wildcat team of Las Vegas

2-1 High, which ended its incredible season without having been beaten, tied or

2-2 even scored on; and

2-3 Whereas, Bill Morris enrolled in the University of Nevada, Reno, in

2-4 1945, and because of his enthusiasm for his former football powerhouse,

2-5 was affectionately given the nickname "Wildcat" by fellow students, a

2-6 name that stayed with him throughout his life; and

2-7 Whereas, After graduating from the University with a degree in

2-8 physical education and serving in the Korean War, "Wildcat" Morris

2-9 worked for Senator Pat McCarran and Senator Alan Bible in Washington,

2-10 D.C., while earning a law degree from American University, where he also

2-11 met his future wife, Vivienne Mae Potter; and

2-12 Whereas, During his career, Bill Morris demonstrated his diverse

2-13 abilities by practicing as an attorney, acting as a municipal judge and a

2-14 special deputy attorney general, owning and co-owning hotel-casinos, and

2-15 serving as a University Regent and a member of the Las Vegas Convention

2-16 and Visitors Authority; and

2-17 Whereas, Unselfishly giving of himself and his time, Bill Morris

2-18 endeared himself to many as a noteworthy civic leader by establishing

2-19 various athletic organizations, serving as president of several such

2-20 organizations, securing federal funding for the Thomas and Mack Center

2-21 and Lawlor Events Center, and raising money for scholarships and

2-22 numerous local charities in Las Vegas; and

2-23 Whereas, Among the multiple honors awarded to Bill Morris were his

2-24 being named a Distinguished Nevadan at the 1978 graduation ceremonies

2-25 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, being named Distinguished Citizen

2-26 by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, receiving the Glen

2-27 "Jake" Lawlor Award for outstanding support of athletics at the University

2-28 of Nevada, Reno, and being inducted into several athletic halls of fame; and

2-29 Whereas, Devotion to his wife and children, dedication to his

2-30 community and performance of numerous quiet, thoughtful acts of kindness

2-31 to fellow Nevadans elevated Bill Morris as a role model; now, therefore, be

2-32 it

2-33 Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

2-34 Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada

2-35 Legislature express their heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to the

2-36 family and friends of Bill Morris; and be it further

2-37 Resolved, That Bill "Wildcat" Morris will long be remembered as one

2-38 of the most popular and influential residents of the State of Nevada; and be

2-39 it further

3-1 Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy

3-2 of this resolution to Bill’s wife of 43 years, Vivienne Morris, and his

3-3 daughters Dawn Dudas and Wesley Morris, all of Las Vegas, to his son

3-4 William Morris of Reno, and to his daughter Jaymie Bodensteiner of

3-5 Flagstaff, Arizona.