Reid Congratulates Nevadan Chosen to Travel to Washington for Inaugural ‘Whistle Stop Tour’

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today on Nevadan Rosa Mendoza, a middle school teacher from Las Vegas, for being one of 18 ‘everyday’ Americans picked to travel with President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on the “Whistle Stop Tour” from Philadelphia to Washington, DC on January 17:

“I would like to congratulate Rosa Mendoza, a hard-working English teacher from Las Vegas, for representing Nevada in the group of ‘everyday Americans’ who will travel to Washington, DC for the Inauguration.
 
“As a special guest on the ‘Whistle Stop Tour,’ Rosa will join 17 other Americans from all walks of life with extraordinary stories, including labor activist Lilly Ledbetter, on a historic journey with President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. I am proud that Rosa was selected to be a part of this select delegation.

“It is people like Rosa who have helped Nevada grow and progress and I commend her for being an active participant in our country’s future.”

BLM Expands Red Rock Conservation Area Through Reid Legislation

Nevada Senator facilitates land purchase from state

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will expand its ownership in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) by 80 acres, thanks to an assist from Nevada Senator Harry Reid.

The BLM purchased this week from the State of Nevada the 80-acre Pine Creek property, which is located within the conservation area, at a price of $14.5 million. Both the BLM and the State of Nevada wanted previously to complete the sale, but language in the legislation that created the Red Rock NCA prohibited direct purchase of state land by the federal agency. At the request of both entities, Reid fixed the situation by submitting and passing a change to the act last year. Under the new language, the BLM is able to acquire the land for fair market value.  By consolidating ownership, the BLM will be able to better manage all lands within the NCA.

“Red Rock is one of the great treasures of Nevada, and I’ll do everything I can to protect it and make it stronger,” Reid said. “In this situation, Nevadans benefit both from the expansion of one of our favorite recreation areas and from the revenues this purchase provides to the state in difficult times.