Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 29–Assemblymen Price, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams
Joint Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener
Assembly Concurrent RESOLUTION—Memorializing former Speaker of the Assembly Paul W.May, Jr.
Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature note with profound
sorrow the passing of former Speaker of the Assembly Paul W. May, Jr.,
on November 14, 2000; and
Whereas, Paul W. May, Jr., was born on January 2, 1928, in the scenic
mountain community of Hot Springs, Virginia, and moved to North Las
Vegas in 1943; and
Whereas, After graduation from Las Vegas High School, Paul May
spent 3 years in the United States Army where he studied cryptography;
and
Whereas, Following his service in the military, Paul May built a career
as a real estate agent and broker and as a lobbyist for the City of North Las
Vegas; and
Whereas, Paul May was first elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1966
and represented District 19 until 1984, addressing crime, tax relief and
traffic as some of the major issues in Clark County; and
Whereas, As Speaker of the Assembly in 1979, Paul May was
responsible for a memorable moment at the end of the 1979 legislative
session when he put a towel over the clock so Assembly members would
not get paid for an extra day of per diem as the session moved past
midnight, resulting in legislative histories describing that as the year the
Assembly lasted 134 days and the Senate lasted 135 days, even though
they both ended at the same time; and
Whereas, Paul May chaired the Assembly Standing Committee on
Taxation for 6 of the 10 regular sessions he served, and while he was
Chairman in 1981, the Legislature approved the “tax shift” which lowered
property taxes and raised sales taxes in reaction to a similar move in
California, resulting in a reduction in Nevada’s property taxes to among
the lowest in the nation; and
Whereas, In 1986, Paul May was elected to his 10th and final term in
the Assembly, and, because of his expertise in tax matters, became known
as the “Father of Bullfrog County,” with his sponsorship of legislation in
1987 that was designed to obtain additional federal money for the State of
Nevada; and
Whereas, Paul’s commitment to his community is evidenced by his
sponsorship of successful legislation to locate the first campus of the
Community College of Southern Nevada in North Las Vegas and his
appointments to the Clark County Commission in 1984 and the North Las
Vegas City Council in 1985; and
Whereas, Paul was actively involved in his community through his
membership in numerous organizations, such as the Las Vegas Elks,
American Legion, North Las Vegas Township Democratic Club, the Air
Force Association and the Masons; and
Whereas, As a resident of Nevada for 57 years, Paul’s love for this
state, its past and present, led to his collection of Nevadiana and his fame
as a known authority on Nevada history, particularly some of its
fascinating, lesser-known details; and
Whereas, Often referred to as a genuine “Virginia Gentleman” by his
colleagues, Paul’s political leadership and character were noted by former
Governor Mike O’Callaghan who remembered him as a “low-key leader
who seldom, if ever, raised his voice” and “accomplished a great deal in
the Assembly by example”; and
Whereas, Paul W. May, Jr., is survived by a son, Paul W. May III, two
daughters, April Phillips of North Las Vegas and Sandra Torres of Texas,
and four grandchildren; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate
Concurring, That the members of the 71st session of the Nevada
Legislature do hereby extend their sincere condolences to the family and
friends of former Speaker of the Assembly Paul W. May, Jr.; and be it
further
Resolved, That Paul W. May, Jr., will not only be remembered as an
Assemblyman who for 20 years displayed his dry wit and jovial nature,
and for his willingness to do the unusual to get the work done, but will
also be remembered as an elected official who dedicated his life to public
service; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit
a copy of this resolution to the children of Paul W. May, Jr.
20~~~~~01