January 6, 2021

Andrew Barbano (775) 747-0544
<barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>
Sen.JoeNeal.org
NevadaLabor.com
CesarChavezNevada.com

BLACK & WHITE CONTRASTS: Treason on Joe Neal Day

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEV. — While mayhem, armed protestors and gunfire suffuse the nation's capitol building, the North Las Vegas City Council will declare Jan. 6 as Joe Neal Day.

The contrasts could not be more clear.

"My husband and his good friend Sen. Neal followed the rules to further progressive legislation," stated former Nevada System of Higher Education Regent Nancy Price who represented southern Nevada.

"They would have been appalled to see what's happening in DC at this moment," she added.

Her husband, Assemblymember Bob Price, D-North Las Vegas, represented the city in the lower house contemporaneously with Sen. Neal in the upper chamber. Neal, 85, died last Thursday, New Year's Eve.

"They were bookends who became soul brothers," Mrs. Price said.

Joe Neal became the Nevada State Senate's first African American member in 1972 and served 32 years, the longest tenure for any Clark County lawmaker and second in state senate history. As president pro-tem of the upper chamber, he twice served as acting governor of Nevada. In 2002, he became the Silver State's first African American major party nominee for governor.

Joe Neal stood for justice and the rule of law and lived a lifetime in that pursuit.

Meanwhile in Washington, DC, Trump anarchists are committing treason and one woman has already been shot.

"The City of North Las Vegas tribute is appropriate on many levels. Jan. 6 is known as 'little Christmas' or the Epiphany," stated former Neal campaign manager Andrew Barbano.

"The contrasts of this day should provide a 'quo vadis' epiphany — a moment of crystal clarity — to realize where we are and where we must go," Barbano added.

The NLV City Council will go into session at 4:00 p.m. PST today with the Neal tribute scheduled soon thereafter. His daughter, Sen. Dina Neal, D-NLV, will speak. Her father lived to see her win his former seat last November.

VIDEO OF THE PROCEEDINGS: http://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/sirepub/videos.html

The Joe Neal Day proclamation was heard after the Pledge of Allegiance.

Complete information about Sen. Neal's life and legacy may be obtained via SenJoeNeal.org/ Tributes for posting may be sent to Andrew Barbano <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>

January 1, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Sen. Dina Neal (702) 738-5870
SenJoeNeal.org

Andrew Barbano (775) 747-0544
<barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>
NevadaLabor.com

Longtime Nevada Senator Joe Neal dies at 85

HENDERSON, NEV. — Former State Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr., D-North Las Vegas, died on New Year's Eve.

"My Dad, after a long-fought battle, succumbed to an illness," stated his daughter, Sen. Dina Neal, D-North Las Vegas.

"He passed away at 10:25 p.m. Dec. 31 at Dignity Health, Sienna Campus, in Henderson, where he received the best care, surrounded by family," she added.

Mr. Neal apparently succumbed to multiple system failure after rebounding many times to the surprise of professionals and family surrounding him with thoughts and prayers.

"He was the best who ever was," stated his former campaign manager Andrew Barbano of Reno.

"He was absolutely fearless and often went against the grain of 'the overlords' as he termed them," Barbano said. "His Neal Care proposal, which he unveiled in his 2002 campaign for governor, with a few tweaks, is now known as Obamacare," he added.

"Joe could be convinced by a reasonable presentation, but when it came to basic principles, he was unyielding. When he first ran for governor in 1998, veteran Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jane Ann Morrison published extensive research on his record. She commented on the remarkable consistency of his positions from his first election in 1972 forward," Barbano added. He became the Nevada State Senate's first African American member that year.

Joseph Martin Neal, Jr., was born in Mounds, Louisiana, on July 28, 1935. He ran for governor twice. He was defeated in the 1998 Democratic primary by Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones. In 2002, he made history as the first African American major party nominee for the state's top post. Both he and Jones were defeated by the late Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn.

His major legislative accomplishments came with the 1981 high-rise fire sprinkler bill, the toughest in the nation, which he introduced after the disastrous MGM Grand conflagration of 1980. After years of effort, including a statewide initiative petition, he finally won a long-sought increase in the world's lowest gross gaming tax on Nevada's largest, most profitable casinos in 2003. The levy has not been raised since he left office in 2004.

His mastery of parliamentary procedure resulted in passage of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by a hostile and conservative senate in 1977.

Here are summaries from SenJoeNeal.org/

THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT: In 1977, Sen. Neal accomplished what everyone viewed as impossible. The legislature's acknowledged master of parliamentary procedure, he engineered the passage of women's rights in an ultra-right Nevada State Senate. A political payoff later killed it in the assembly. It finally passed in 2017.

THE NATION'S TOUGHEST FIRE SPRINKLER LAW: After the 1980 Las Vegas MGM Grand high rise fire killed 87 people, Sen. Neal introduced a bill calling for retrofitting buildings and other safety measures. The gambling industry opposed it because of the cost. Only one other senator, Bill Hernstadt, D-Las Vegas, signed on — until an arsonist set fire to the Las Vegas Hilton, resulting in more death and damage. Sen. Neal's proposal remains the law today, a model studied and emulated worldwide.

Former Nevada State Fire Marshal Tom Huddleston wrote to Sen. Neal upon leaving state service in 1987: "In large part because of your courage, the State of Nevada enjoys the most comprehensive fire prevention laws in the world. We are a leader in the fire service and accordingly, many countries, states and cities have copied all or part of what we have done in Nevada. The steady downward trend in life and property loss from fire in Nevada reflects our accomplishments. The yearly life loss in our state has been more than cut in half during the last few years even though our population continues to grow. This is due to your efforts. Many people owe you their lives and health. The fire service in Nevada is in your debt. Thank you."

TOUGHER REGULATION OF EXPLOSIVES MANUFACTURING: After a massive explosion at the Pacific Engineering rocket fuel plant in Henderson killed two people in 1988, Sen. Neal sponsored legislation imposing strict controls on the industry. The law has not been enforced. The 1998 Sierra Chemical plant explosion east of Sparks revealed lax or non-existent oversight.

MONEY FOR LIBRARIES: Sen. Neal ramrodded legislation allowing small communities to sell bonds to build libraries and establishing the Southern Nevada Library District to do the same in the Las Vegas area.

Sen. Dina Neal served 10 years in the Nevada State Assembly before ascending to her father's seat in the upper house last year. Sen. Joe Neal served 32 years, the second-longest length of service in Nevada State Senate history, eclipsed only by the late Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno.

Mr. Neal's biography, "The Westside Slugger: Joe Neal's Lifelong Fight for Social Justice" by Nevada Press Association Hall-of-Famer John L. Smith was published by the University of Nevada Press in 2019.

"Getting to know Joe Neal was one of the great honors of my life," Smith said when informed of Sen. Neal's passing. "He possessed the courage of his convictions at a pivotal time in Nevada’s history. That courage helped open doors for a new generation of leaders in a more inclusive state. God bless his family.”

Joe Neal was the recipient of many honors in his career, including a Lifetime Commitment Award from the Nevada State AFL-CIO and induction to the Nevada State Senate Hall of Fame and César Chávez NevadaLabor.com Hall of Fame.

He came to Nevada in 1954. He lost his wife, Estelle Deconge Neal, to breast cancer in 1997 after 32 years of marriage. He is the father of five: Charisse, Tania, Withania, Dina and Joseph; grandfather of 10 and great-grandfather to two.

The Louisiana native graduated from Southern University in 1963 with a degree in political science and history. He did postgraduate work in law. He was also a graduate of the Institute of Applied Science in Chicago, Illinois, where he studied civil identification and criminal investigation.

After 25 years in personnel administration, he retired as assistant to the general legal counsel of Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Company, Inc. After retiring, he taught constitutional democracy at Community College of Southern Nevada. A Las Vegas elementary school bears his name, as does the southern Nevada Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital.

In 1992, he received the prestigious Elijah Lovejoy Award from the Elks Grand Lodge. The honor is named for the pre-Civil War newspaper editor who opposed slavery. Because of his views, Lovejoy was murdered by a midnight mob and his printing press thrown into a nearby river. (Lovejoy's son, Edward, is buried in Dayton, Nev.)

Previous recipients of the Lovejoy Award include the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., United Nations Ambassador Ralph Bunche (like Dr. King, a Nobel Peace Prize winner), renowned soprano Marian Anderson and United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Complete information about his life and career, including his Legislative Counsel Bureau oral history, may be accessed at his official website, SenJoeNeal.org/ Please monitor the site for more information as it becomes available.

Remembrances for posting may be sent to Andrew Barbano at <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>

He did important work. Remember him fondly.
___________

CWA 9413/AFL-CIO

From: Michelle White <michellewhite@gov.nv.gov>
Sent: Friday, January 1, 2021 12:09 PM
To: Neal, Dina Senator <Dina.Neal@sen.state.nv.us>
Cc: DinaNealAssembly@yahoo.com <DinaNealAssembly@yahoo.com>
Subject: Governor Sisolak Statement on the Passing of Sen. Joe Neal

Senator:

First off, we all send our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. I had the privilege to meet your Dad a few times over the years and learn about his legacy. There's no doubt the State is grieving alongside your family due to this massive loss.

I wanted to let you know that Governor Sisolak will be issuing the following statement (see below). Additionally, he will be signing an executive order lowering the flags to half-staff on the date of internment.

Again, we are so sorry for your loss and so grateful for your Dad's life of service. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.

Governor Sisolak issues statement on passing of longtime legislator Joe Neal 

CARSON CITY, NV – Today, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak issued the following statement on the passing of Joe Neal, a former long-time Nevada State Senator.

 “I was deeply upset and saddened to hear of the death of Joe Neal, the second longest serving State Senator in Nevada history, a champion for the African-American community, a warrior for social justice and a tireless advocate for Nevada’s workers.

"True to his nature, Joe fought until the very end, battling illness for a long time. Joe was known as 'the Westside Slugger' and as 'the Conscience of the Legislature'  because of his dedication to civil rights, his tenacity and his impassioned speeches. 

"As the first African-American elected to the Senate in our state, Joe served for more than three decades and paved the way for many more fighters to enter the arena in the State of Nevada. 

"Senator Joe Neal will continue to be known as one of Nevada’s greatest legends, and his legacy will leave indelible mark on our state. There is no doubt Nevada is a better place because of his fearless service. 

Kathy and I send our love and condolences to the Neal family – including his daughter, State Senator Dina Neal – and friends and we’ll keep them in our thoughts and prayers over the difficult days ahead.”

On the date of Senator Neal’s internment, the governor will order flags in the state lowered to half-staff in his honor.
_____________

Michelle White, Chief of Staff
Office of Governor Steve Sisolak
michellewhite@gov.nv.gov

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Congressman Steven Horsford’s statement on the passing of State Senator Joe Neal

I am saddened to hear about the passing of State Senator Joe Neal, the first African American elected to the Nevada State Senate and the second longest serving Senator in Nevada history, elected in 1972.

Sonya and I join the entire Nevada family in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the Neal family and share in their loss for all that Senator Neal meant to his family, the historic West Las Vegas community and to the state of Nevada.

Once Senator Neal retired from the State Senate, I was honored to represent the 4th Senatorial District he capably represented for 30 years. That same district is now represented by his youngest daughter, Senator Dina Neal, who continues to carry on the legacy of public service started by her father and mother, who broke down barriers so that others could follow in their footsteps.

There are so many special moments that I recall of Senator Neal over the years. As an intern, I would watch in amazement as he delivered poignant speeches from the floor, hardly ever using prepared remarks. He was a master of parliamentary procedures and was responsible for helping to introduce the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a measure that would finally be achieved through the legislative work of Senator Pat Spearman.

Upon his retirement, my colleagues and I presented him a bound book with his most notable speeches from his tenure in the State Senate.

Senator Joe Neal was more than a legislator. He was a statesman and a dedicated public servant. His achievements will be remembered by all those with whom he shared his knowledge, legislative prowess and experience. The legacy of a champion – The Westside Slugger.

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40th Anniversary of Equal Rights Betrayal
Sen. Neal recalls his history-making 1977 fight for the Equal Rights Amendment
Parliamentary procedure master engineered passage in arch-conservative senate
Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 2-28-2017 Sparks Tribune
Updated 3-1, 3-3, 3-6 and 3-8-2017

IN SINCERE APPRECIATION

     Now retired, Sen. Neal thanks all who supported him in his 32 years in the upper house. He will remain engaged (see below) with the great issues, as he has throughout his life. The continuing high volume of traffic to this website reinforces and rewards that commitment. Thank you.