Columnist John Katsilometes: Who should be missing statue?

Monday, Jan. 10, 2000 | 9:17 a.m.

John Katsilometes is the Sun assistant features editor. His column appears Mondays. Reach him at kats@vegas.com or 259-2327.

To most tourists flying in and out of Las Vegas, McCarran is just the name of an airport remarkable mostly for its banks of slot and video poker machines. But a more personal tribute to former U.S. senator and judge Pat McCarran stands in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., a 7-foot bronze likeness of McCarran gesturing with his right hand and clutching a thick book ("Chicken Soup for the Long-Deceased Senator") in the other.

McCarrran is Nevada's lone conrtibution to the U.S. Capitol, home to 96 similar tributes to noteworthy Americans from across the country. Every state is allowed to submit two statues, but four (New Mexico, North Dakota, Wyoming and Nevada) have provided just one.

(Meanwhile, it is rumored that Puerto Rico has already finished off its first commemorative statue -- that of an 8-foot Ricky Martin -- should it ever be granted statehood.)

Not to draw unflattering comparisons with other states (South Dakota and Idaho, for starters), but it seems odd that Nevada has yet to find a fit complement to the distinguished McCarran. I feel the choice should reflect the state's unique qualities, such as slot machines in airports, cashier attendants at Vons and the option of ordering a Reuben sandwich anywhere in Las Vegas at 3:30 a.m.

Thus, some statuesque suggestions:

Kenny Kerr: The self-styled "Queen of Las Vegas." The Plaza Hotel's featured performer subtly bridges the gender gap and serves as a living reminder that any young man can become a star. Or starlet.

Dan Tanna: No one personified casino glitz like the Robert Urich character in "Vega$." The T-Bird. The car phone. The scarves. The babes. Dan had it goin' on.

The Smut Literature Peddler: A nod to the plucky entrepreneurs who tirelessly distribute the pornographic menus that help bolster our potent economy.

The Wayner: Mostly because I'm afraid if I don't include him, he'll beat me up. (By the way, his new Christmas watch is made of real diamonds, not rhinestones, as I incorrectly noted in last Monday's New Year's Eve coverage).

The Crazy Girls: The forward-thinking Riviera dance troupe has already been bronzed. If nothing else, it would prepare anyone interested in visiting Las Vegas for our distinctive taxicab signage.

Jerry Tarkanian: So powerful was his influence on the local sports scene that any Las Vegas basketball fan who lived in town during the Runnin' Rebels heyday in the Las Vegas Convention Center claims to have held UNLV season tickets. The place had a capacity of less than 7,000.

Rob Powers: The ubiquitous public relations director for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is quite possibly the city's most artful networker. The Cezanne of schmoozing.

Bob Stupak: Like the Crazy Girls, Stupak has already been honored in statue form. His bronzed likeness is currently startling unsuspecting visitors to the Casino Legends Hall of Fame.

The Elvis Impersonator: A little-known fact: A full eighth of the Las Vegas employment force is made of former or current Elvis impersonators.

Steve Wynn: It would be worth it just to rankle Donald Trump and Sheldon Adelson, among others, but would the reclusive resort magnate submit to such a grandiose tribute?