July 25, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 126 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               IN HONOR OF WILLIAM J. NOONAN'S RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. AMODEI

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2019

  Mr. AMODEI. Madam Speaker, on July 31st, an era will end. After a 
long and successful career in government and the gaming industry--the 
last 18 years of which he spent at Boyd Gaming--William J. Noonan will 
retire. Bill's long career--truly an American success story--has 
midwestern roots. A graduate of Missouri State before receiving his 
master's in public administration from the University Kansas, Bill 
spent years managing cities all across this country. From Springfield, 
Missouri, to small towns in Florida, and eventually to Las Vegas in the 
1990s, Bill's positive energy and inspiring leadership guided cities 
large and small through some of the toughest and most exciting of 
economic times.
   When Bill first landed in Las Vegas in 1990, it was a city of just 
under a million people. Gaming was not widely legalized throughout the 
country, but was about to be . . . and Bill sensed a boom coming. He 
worked with city leaders to prepare for what was to come and would soon 
take his skills into the private sector for a number of companies who 
needed to understand the key relationship that exists between the 
gaming industry and the communities in which they operate. Bill was 
exactly the right person for the job.
   Since those humble beginnings of his youth, Bill has actually run a 
casino, dined with US presidents, overseen corporate philanthropies 
that have donated millions to communities and worthwhile causes, 
successfully recruited a professional football team to Las Vegas, and 
helped a city gather itself together after the horrific events of 
October 1 in his role as chairman of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of 
Commerce.
   For his leadership to community and country, Bill's been recognized 
numerous times--by his industry as the Gaming Professional of the Year; 
by his alma mater as an outstanding alumnus; and by his state by 
serving on a number of prestigious boards. But if you know Bill, you 
know he really only cares about the appreciation of those with whom he 
works and the recognition of his lifelong love Sylvia and their 
beautiful family . . . with whom he now gets to spend a lot more time.
   I wish my friend well. I thank him for his contributions, and I 
congratulate him on his retirement.

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