MINUTES OF THE
SENATE Committee on Commerce and Labor
Seventy-First Session
May 14, 2001
The Senate Committee on Commerce and Laborwas called to order by Chairman Randolph J. Townsend, at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, May 14, 2001, in Room 2135 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman
Senator Ann O’Connell, Vice Chairman
Senator Dean A. Rhoads
Senator Mark Amodei
Senator Raymond C. Shaffer
Senator Michael A. (Mike) Schneider
Senator Maggie Carlton
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Scott Young, Committee Policy Analyst
Silvia Motta, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Rosemary Baley, Concerned Citizen, Mother of Tim Baley
Jack Fleming, Sierra Assisted Living Foundation, Friend of the Baley Family Timothy (Tim) Allen Baley, Artist and Musician
Christopher Exline, Professor, Department of Geography, University of Nevada, Reno
Richard Taylor, Computer Systems Technician, Department of Geography, University of Nevada, Reno
Chairman Townsend:
This is a remarkable day. The issues we are addressing today are considerably different from the matters this committee handles on a daily basis. Due to the jurisdiction of this committee and its purpose, it has come to our attention about many working citizens in the state of Nevada who participate in our working environment and face substantially different challenges; certainly much greater ones than most of us. I would like to tell you about a gentlemen I met in the airport 6 months ago, and with whom I had a lengthy conversation about people, like himself, with cerebral palsy. These people are challenged in their work environment on an ongoing basis. When I asked him where he worked, he informed me he is in the accounting department of a large hotel casino in Reno, and has been for quite some time. He is a young man with a great deal of courage, as the other two gentlemen here today. I thought we should experience some of their unique talents.
When we all get so busy in our little world, we forget about people with greater problems, and that they might face simple matters with more difficulty than the rest of us, issues we do not feel are important.
The first gentleman with us today has become quite famous. He has appeared on nationally recognized shows, such as Sally Jessy Raphael, Good Morning America, Geraldo, Inside Edition, Sonja Live, L. A. Magazine (Los Angeles Magazine, and The 700 Club. He has appeared in front of presidents, has done national, televised performances, even a duet with Liberace. The brochure (Exhibit C) distributed this morning, outlines some of the people under whom Mr. Baley studied, and some of his accomplishments and credits in music and art. It also makes reference to the movie Rain Man, where the world became aware of the term “savant.” What you are about to experience today is something you are not likely to see just anywhere.
Rosemary Baley, Concerned Citizen, Mother of Timothy Baley:
My son, Tim Baley, is able to play the piano around Carson City and all over the state of Nevada and California, to name a few, or wherever we go. Because Nevada has had confidence in him, a keyboard (piano) was purchased for my son through vocational rehabilitation. We have lived in a number of states due to Tim’s physical problems, and because we had no idea this music would become a source of income for my son. We would like for you to enjoy what he does, and acknowledge what a wonderful benefit this has been for Tim. His only “gifts” are in music and his art, which is currently displayed at the Sizzler Restaurant here in Carson City. He used to play at the Ormsby House Casino; he now plays at Smitty J’s Restaurant.
Jack Fleming, Sierra Assisted Living Foundation, Friend of the Baley Family:
Six years ago my daughter saw a young man playing piano on public television and suggested he could be a candidate and part of a cooperative self-assisted living facility for active seniors and the high-functioning mentally and physically challenged. I then contacted Mr. Baley immediately, at which time he informed me his family was going to be traveling to Las Vegas, and he agreed to meet with me; consequently, his family moved up to Nevada. We became very good friends. His talent, to me, is just unbelievable.
Timothy (Tim) Allen Baley, Artist and Musician, proceeded to play a series ofpatriotic and military melodies on his keyboard piano, using only a cue card each time to prompt him.]
Mrs. Baley:
At age 13, Tim was diagnosed as mildly mentally handicapped, with light cerebral palsy. Although his arm and hand movements were uncontrolled and he had poor coordination, he was determined to play the piano. He started to play tunes with one finger, and through his persistence, he learned.
Chairman Townsend:
For those of you who do not know, Mr. Baley does not read music. I personally have a deep appreciation for his music because my mother was a concert pianist. I believe what Mr. Baley has in front of him are cue cards, which simply have the name of the tune and the key in which they are played. Just remarkable!
Mrs. Baley:
From the moment Tim discovered the piano at the institution, he was determined to play the piano. From the time he first heard it in Kentucky, it took him over 2 years to perfect the song you just heard (“Last Date,” a 1950s instrumental song by Floyd Cramer).
Chairman Townsend:
You are a remarkable asset to this state. We appreciate your being here today, and maybe when we start the next session, we will have you start it off. It would be very nice to have you back.
Mr. Baley:
I feel a lot of cool air, so I know there are a lot of fans here today.
Chairman Townsend:
The second person I would like to introduce is Richard Taylor. He was born in Yerington, Nevada, and works for the University of Nevada, Reno, in the Department of Geography. We met in 1969, when a friend and I came to the University of Nevada in Reno. Reno has been my home ever since. One day, while driving to class in a snowstorm, we saw Richard across the quad, he had a briefcase, trudging his way to class. We subsequently saw him at lunchtime, approached him, and introduced ourselves. We became friends, and we both have since maintained a close relationship.
Richard’s desire to finish school and go on into the workforce has always impressed my friend and me, and every time something in our lives would not go the way we would like, we remember Richard. As we got to know him, we found out that during the summers he worked to put himself through school. We always thought the humanity Richard brought to all of the people he touched was something really valuable. He subsequently graduated, and believe me, with no special help. He was treated and challenged like any other student. He managed to get through school and go on into the workforce on his own.
I have a hundred stories of Richard Taylor, but my favorite is the year he was going to turn 25, he was graduating the same year. My friend Myles and I were determined to give him the greatest birthday party in the history of the university. We had everything organized, told everyone it was a surprise party and their attendance and a gift were required. We had approximately 50 people who had all known Richard through their careers at the university. There was cake and many gifts, everything except the birthday boy, who had chosen on his own to go to the Pizza Oven for something to eat. We had no clue where he was; there was a party but no reason for one, since the birthday boy had not shown.
Once we found Richard, we had a difficult task convincing him to come back with us to the party, without telling him the party was in his honor. Consequently, we had a very wonderful birthday party for him. But, I will never forget having a party for someone who did not show up.
Christopher Exline, Professor, Department of Geography, University of Nevada, Reno:
Richard has worked in the state for 27 years. He came to work for the university in 1978, in the geography department. When I arrived in 1981, the question was, what was I going to have Richard do? Richard’s office, which he shared with all kinds of insects, was in a closet, literally, with no ventilation or anything else. Once I looked at his credentials, with a degree in geography and almost ones in computer science and mathematics, I asked Richard to stay with me. At the time, computer mapping seemed a promising future. Eventually, we went into the computer mapping business, and later, into the geographic information systems business. As Senator Townsend said, Richard did not receive any special treatment at the university, and he has taught himself everything he does.
Now there are phenomenal, expensive training programs, just to accomplish what Richard has achieved by himself. Not only does Richard maintain our equipment, he teaches four different lab classes involving approximately 90 students. Aside from his assistance in teaching my science classes for the last 16 years, he works individually with all kinds of people. He has been a tremendous asset; without him we would have to commit a full-time faculty member. Some days, when I don’t feel well, I look at Richard, who in the last 20 years has never made a negative remark about anyone or anything, except his computer is too slow. He is a terrific person and an inspiration. Every year we get more acclaim in evaluations as to how much Richard has touched and helped people.
Chairman Townsend:
You have been a state worker for 27 years, and almost 20 in the geography department. When are you going to retire?
Richard Taylor, Computer Systems Technician, University of Nevada, Reno:
I keep telling them May 1, 2004. I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do after I retire. I have no clue.
Chairman Townsend:
I am sure you will figure something out. Do you like the Friday morning meetings?
Mr. Taylor:
Yes. When you teach so many people from so many backgrounds, you do not mind teaching the same subject all the time.
Chairman Townsend:
When we first met 30 years ago, you were the first person I had met who was truly interested in computers. What do you think of the computer world today?
Mr. Taylor:
It is changing too fast, way too fast.
Chairman Townsend:
At work, do you have a laptop, or a real big one?
Mr. Taylor:
I have three. They are just too old.
Chairman Townsend:
For someone like you, it’s all right, you would know how to work them. I tell you, my friend Myles and I had a lot in common; one trait was the inability to work with computers, but you, you always knew how.
One day Richard came in to see Myles and me regarding a written final; I believe it was the year he was graduating. I remember to this day, Richard explained to us the professor was not going to give him any extra time to finish what was a 2-hour class. Richard never said it was unfair or he deserved a better deal, he just implied he was going to figure out how to finish the class in 2 hours. Because of your attitude, Myles and I were really touched. I am going to tell you this, because I checked the statute of limitations and I know it has run out. We paid a visit to your professor; he ultimately understood we were two people who were really impressed by your capabilities.
Mr. Taylor:
Imagine the difficulties we had when there were no computers and we had to use typewriters. It was very hard for me.
Chairman Townsend:
You have done quite a job with the geography department.
Mr. Exline:
We have had some very terrific people, and everyone does a great job, and Richard has been a very important part of it.
Chairman Townsend:
It is great to see you both. Mr. Baley, we wish you well with your endeavors. Every time we think there is something wrong in our lives, it is important to remember the wonderful talent and perseverance of other people in the work force.
Mr. Baley:
I think we all need to look up with balance and just say “Thank you.”
Chairman Townsend adjourned meeting 10:47 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Silvia Motta,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman
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