Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Awards and old-timers

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002 | 9:10 a.m.

WHEN ANY SPECIAL interest group gives an award for accomplishment in its industry, there is justification for some skepticism about the value of the trophy. Like many organizations, it has been true when the gamblers hand out a self-serving award. Last week the American Gaming Association made its annual award become both valuable and significant when giving it to a man who has done so much for meeting the challenge of problem gambling.

The name Shannon Bybee adds luster to any honor or award. He's a man who time and again has set aside personal gain to help those who need aid and to serve his state and nation. This attitude was prominent in the way he was raised and never changed from the time he was a young deputy sheriff in White Pine County.

Following military service, graduating as a distinguished law school scholar and being a clerk at the Nevada Supreme Court, he moved to Las Vegas to work in a large law firm. That's when, as governor, I called him to serve on the Nevada Gaming Control Board. He was promised not much money but lots of work and an opportunity for public service. He accepted and served with unquestionable integrity and brilliance.

Later, after working as a successful gaming executive in Nevada and New Jersey, he came back to public service as a professor at UNLV. Despite serious illness, he continues to work and press for the improvement of the industry and the people it affects both positively and negatively. He has never left behind his high ethical principles and concerns for other people.

Get well, Shannon.

The "discovery" of new Indian tribes that buy some land in urban areas and then claim the right to run a casino has created several local problems. The resulting problems have encouraged more than one state or city to request a moratorium on more "discoveries" of long-extinct or never-heard-of tribes. Their concerns have resulted in suggested federal legislation to create a moratorium.

There is little chance for this legislation to see the light of day as long as senior Sen. Dan Inoyue of Hawaii has a position of power in the U.S. Senate. I can't disagree with the requests of some state and local governments because some of the "new " tribes are questionable. At the same time, I would never question the stand of Inoyue, who has been the champion for all American natives. He is not a tool of the gaming industry or Indian lobbyists, but he does speak out for people who have too long been ignored by others in power.

Henderson's Blackie Evans, former head of the Nevada AFL-CIO, has announced the 2002 winners of the Arnold-Jones-Evans AFL-CIO scholarships for college.

Two of the three scholarship winners of $3,000 are Ashley A. Metoxen and Charles C. Wu, both of Las Vegas. Metoxen is attending Arizona State University and Wu attends the University of Nevada, Reno.

The scholarships are named after the late Jim Arnold, Stan Jones and Blackie. Arnold was one of Nevada's early and long-time labor leaders. His work in Las Vegas has benefited those who now work and will work in the hotel, bar and restaurant industry. Jones was the strongest Nevada Labor Commissioner in the history of the Silver State. He never forgot those who sweat for a living. Evans was the voice of the steelworkers and later the protector of the injured at the Nevada Industrial Commission before leading the state AFL-CIO for several years.

Herb Kaufman reminds me that the Seventh Annual Reunion of Old Timers is scheduled at the Stardust Hotel Casino for Sunday at 6 p.m. This year the dinner and show will be dedicated to the memory of the late Joe Delaney, who for decades was the Sun's entertainment writer. His many community activities included providing entertainment for this annual gathering.

I remember the day our own Ruthe Deskin told me of Joe and her meeting with Dave Pearl, the late Herb McDonald and others planning for the first gathering of oldtimers. Ruthe was born, raised and educated in the Silver State. Attending the reunion two times was both delightful and entertaining. Attendees see friends they haven't seen for years and enjoy a great dinner and show. Very simply, it's a blast.

For ticket information call Ken Johann's real estate office at 382-6336.