School band trumpets kickoff for Berkley race

Jace Radke

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 10:56 a.m.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and about 200 supporters kicked off her re-election campaign against a backdrop of a huge American flag and with her former middle school band blasting fight songs Tuesday afternoon.

Berkley was joined by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., former Gov. Bob Miller and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman at John C. Fremont Middle School to announce her candidacy for re-election.

Berkley was greeted with a round of applause as she told the crowd, "I am Shelley Berkley, and I'm running for re-election to the United States Congress."

Berkley hit on the issues of health care, education and nuclear waste that have become so familiar in hers and the speeches of her opponent, state Sen. Jon Porter, R-Boulder City.

Reid spoke about the efforts Berkley has put into her work since being elected to the House in 1998.

"I know what makes a good member of Congress when I see one, and I know good work when I see it," Reid said of Berkley.

Miller told the crowd about what he considers one of Berkley's best attributes, and why that alone would be a reason to vote for her.

"Her persistence is amazing," Miller said. "She does not take no for an answer. She can wear down anybody, and that's what we need in Congress.

Berkley spoke about the patients' bill of rights that she has co-sponsored but which has not yet received enough votes to pass.

She also talked about the need to continue to search for and secure federal funds for new schools and teachers, but then she focused on Nevada's top issues -- gaming and nuclear waste.

"I'm the one who other members of Congress turn to when it comes to Indian gaming, Internet gaming or the proposed NCAA (betting) ban, because I know the industry," Berkley said. "You can't tell me that a ban on legal sports betting in Nevada, where you have to be 21 years old and present to make a bet, will stop illegal gambling on our college campuses.

"If you want to see illegal betting, go to the cloak room of the House of Representatives where bets can be placed on any sport in the country."