Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) - Professional gambler Billy Walters and his wife, Susan announced Thursday that they will donate $1 million to the ongoing effort to rebrand McCarran Airport to Harry Reid International Airport.
“Harry Reid is very deserving of this great honor and Susan and I want to help make it a reality,’’ Bill Walters said. “Harry has been a warrior for the people of Nevada, especially working people and people in need. He is a man of integrity and I am proud to call him a personal friend.’’
Clark County Commissioners voted in February to rename the airport for the former Senator, who represented Nevada in Congress for more than 30 years, including 12 as the Senate Democratic leader.
When the commission approved changing the airport’s name to Harry Reid International Airport, it determined that no taxpayer money would be used for any portion of the renaming process.
Susan Walters noted that Sen. Reid has been a long and unwavering supporter and advocate for Opportunity Village, the Las Vegas nonprofit that provides employment, vocational training and recreation services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Walters’ son, Scott, suffered significant brain damage after surgery for a brain tumor at the age of seven and, to this day, has limited ability to care for himself.
“When Bill and I first heard of the proposed name change, we were thrilled,’’ Susan Walters said. “We didn’t hesitate to show our gratitude when we learned of the privately funded rebranding effort.’’
The Las Vegas airport has been named for former Sen. Patrick McCarran, who represented Nevada between 1933 and 1954.