Governor Outraged That Feds “Black List” Nevada
Newspaper report says federal officials told not to visit Nevada

Governor Jim Gibbons today expressed anger and disappointment in President Obama’s Administration after evidence surfaced that federal agencies have specifically been told to avoid holding conferences, meetings or conventions in Nevada. A newspaper report in the July 22 edition of the Wall Street Journal cites emails from the FBI and the Department of Agriculture ordering staff to avoid or “black list” resort/gambling cities like Las Vegas or Reno for meetings and conventions.

“I am working hard to get more jobs and more tourists for Nevada to help our economy recover and the Obama Administration seems to be completely unaware of the damage they are causing to Nevada’s economy and the people here,” Governor Gibbons said, “This is an outrageous insult to the working families in Nevada.”

Governor Gibbons tried to meet with President Obama while the President was in Las Vegas for a political fundraiser last May to talk with him about disparaging remarks the President made about Las Vegas. Governor Gibbons wanted the President to help the U.S. and Nevada economies by having the President issue a statement encouraging Americans to vacation in America this Summer. President Obama refused to set aside time to meet with Governor Gibbons. “The policies of the Obama Administration have sentenced Nevada’s economy to the gallows,” Gibbons said, “President Obama came to Las Vegas in May and raised more than a million dollars in campaign cash, then turned around and stabbed us in the back.”

Governor Gibbons is again calling upon Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the rest of the Nevada Congressional Delegation to use any influence they might have to encourage President Obama to change the policies of his Administration and allow federal agencies to hold conventions and meetings in Nevada. Governor Gibbons believes that if the federal policies change, then the private sector will feel it is appropriate to hold their meetings and conventions in Nevada, as well. Governor Gibbons said, “This President needs to repair the damage he has done.”

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports hundreds of conventions and business meetings scheduled to take place in Las Vegas have cancelled in the last several months. These cancellations have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue to Las Vegas.

Note: Link to story in Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124822843228670879.html

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Nevada Governor Tours Iraq, Meets With Troops

 

By Sgt. Frank Vaughn, MND-S

 

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons visited Soldiers at Contingency Operating Base Basra July 19 to learn more about operations in Multi-National Division - South, gauge the morale of troops from his home state and address their questions and concerns in a town hall meeting.

 

 

Gibbons’ visit was part of a three-governor tour of Iraq which included Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

 

Gibbons said the troops he encountered on this trip have earned his respect by the way they conducted themselves.

 

“We’ve got a lot of great men and women serving over here,” said Gibbons. “They’re working 24 hours a day to accomplish their mission. Each and every one of them is well-trained and qualified and I am proud of the job they are doing over here.”

 

 

Gibbons said the citizens of Nevada owe a huge debt of gratitude to the troops from that state and he pledged to do everything he can to take care of the troops that take care of America.

 

“These troops should be treated with dignity (when they come home),” he said. “The people of Nevada need to recognize and reward their service. We need to make sure we have jobs for them when they return and that they are taken care of just like they took care of us.”

 

 

Gibbons said he speaks for every Nevadan in expressing appreciation to service members who put themselves in harm’s way in defense of America.

 

“Our thanks, gratitude and prayers are with them,” he said. “They are a rare breed of people who do everything they can to ensure that America stays the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

 

Cutlines:

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (center) is accompanied by 1st Sgt. Kevin Bauer, senior enlisted leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and resident of Faribault, Minn., as he visits Multi-National Division - South headquarters July 19. Gibbons came to Contingency Operating Base Basra as part of a three-governor tour which included Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Frank Vaughn) Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons is presented a token of appreciation by Staff Sgt. Deborah Rupp, a Soldier with 21st Military Police Company (Airborne) and resident of Mesquite, Nev. during a visit to Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq July 19. Gibbons came to COB Basra as part of a three-governor tour which included Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Maulding) Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons gives an interview during a three-governor visit to Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq July 19 to visit with troops, gauge morale and address questions and concerns from them. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty also visited COB Basra during this tour. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Frank Vaughn) Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons talks with Brig. Gen. David J. Elicerio, deputy commanding general for operations of Multi-National Division - South, upon the Basra airfield during a visit to MND-S headquarters at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq July 19.

 

Gibbons came to COB Basra as part of a three-governor tour which included Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Frank Vaughn) Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons is guided through a tour of the operations center of Multi-National Division - South headquarters by Brig. Gen. David J. Elicerio (left), deputy commanding general for operations of MND-S, and Lt. Col. Chad Sackett (right), chief of operations, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and resident of Forrest Lake, Minn.

 

Gibbons came to COB Basra as part of a three-governor tour which included Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Maulding) Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (center) addresses troops from his home state during a town hall meeting at Multi-National Division - South headquarters July 19. Gibbons came to Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq as part of a three-governor tour which included Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Maulding)

 

For queries, contact the Multi-National Division –

South Public Affairs at MNDS_PAO@iraq.centcom.mil;

by phone at (Iraqna) 0790-194-2865 or 770-263-9379.

For more MND-S news, visit our website: www.TheRedBulls.org.