May 10, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today made the following statement on the passing of the Reverend Jesse Scott:

“Today, Las Vegas lost a voice for truth and justice. Rev. Jesse Scott committed many of his 90 years to creating a more just world, and the commanding voice with which he argued for basic principles of fairness will reverberate long into the future.  His perseverance inspires us all as we continue his legacy of building a community that sees all its members as equals.

“Rev. Scott’s career was devoted to social justice. As an organizer, president and executive director of the NAACP in California and Nevada he organized communities in these states to create better living and working conditions for minority workers. Because of his dedication, Rev. Scott was later selected to be the Executive Director of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, where he served with dedication and distinction.

“Until his death, Rev. Scott was Assistant Pastor at Second Baptist Church of Las Vegas and was the former pastor of Second Christian Church in Las Vegas.  Until his last days he carried out his life’s mission of social advocacy by working with Nevada’s non-violent ex-offenders and by promoting education to help Nevada students go to college.
 
“The United States Senate will also miss an opportunity to hear Rev. Scott’s words of faith as he was scheduled to deliver the opening prayer on the Senate floor in just a few weeks as a guest chaplain.
 
“Rev. Jesse Scott was a trailblazer for civil rights and a man of deep faith in God and humanity. I am proud to have worked alongside such a great man.  Our state has lost a giant and my thoughts are with Rev. Scott’s family during this difficult time.”