University Presidents' letter supporting airport renaming

Feb. 12, 2021

Dear Members of the Clark County Commission,

As the Presidents of Nevada’s two research universities, we write to jointly support changing the name of McCarran International Airport to the Harry Reid International Airport. At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno we are committed to equity and inclusion, and we stand together against the late Pat McCarran’s legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia.

Senator Harry Reid is one of the most effective and distinguished public servants in the history of Nevada. His accomplishments are felt across our state, and we will continue to benefit from his contributions in the coming decades. This is certainly true at our two universities, where Senator Reid’s contributions have significantly increased access and opportunities for our students.

The airport in Las Vegas is one of the great public resources in our state, and is seen by millions from around the world. Among his list of exceptional accomplishments, Senator Reid’s work on behalf of the airport has helped Nevada become a great global destination. We support honoring Senator Reid’s decades of service for the great State of Nevada by renaming the airport in the community and state that he has helped build and prosper.

Sincerely,

President Brian Sandoval
University of Nevada, Reno

President Keith E. Whitfield
University of Nevada, Las Vegas