Goodman’s next stop: Washington

Erin Neff

Wednesday, July 14, 1999 | 12:33 p.m.

Oscar Goodman's move from courtrooms to council chambers has included meetings with Wall Street bankers, casino moguls and everyone in between.

Now Mr. Goodman goes to Washington.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., will host a reception Thursday for Goodman during the Las Vegas mayor's first official visit to the nation's capital.

Originally scheduled for about 30 people, the reception has grown daily to include dozens more lobbyists and Washington powerbrokers such as Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and Tom Harken, D-Iowa.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Goodman said. "It's going to give me a chance to meet with all of the lobbyists and the HUD people and others who play a role in the city."

Rubbing elbows with some of the nation's most powerful people will come easy for Goodman, who basks in media attention and admittedly loves the attention he's getting just weeks into the job.

Goodman will leave today for Washington, spending tonight and all of Thursday meeting federal officials in an effort to ensure Las Vegas is fresh on their minds when money for transportation or public housing projects is available.

After his official duties in Washington, Goodman will travel to New York to visit one of his sons, before returning home.