My date with the Senator

On Friday Bryce and I (and 50 of our closest acquaintances) had dinner with the highest-ranking Democrat in Senate. In the U.S. In the WORLD. The J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Las Vegas chapter, honored Harry Reid at a special dinner at the Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas. Betsy Fowler was on the committee and did a great job, including making some killer name tags. It's Sunday and I'm wearing mine right now.



As we entered the grounds, I said, "Oooooh, pretty fountain!" and whipped out my camera. Bryce chided me saying, "Rebecca, act like you've been here before." Apparently that is sports talk for "Don't go to pieces now." I will file this away with other helpful phrases I've learned over the years, such as "they need to just play within themselves", "they can't play on the road", and "they won because they wanted it more." Sometimes when there's a game on and I'm not paying attention, I bat these phrases around and score major brownie points.



Anyway, we walked in and found our way to the ballroom. In a room filled with attorneys I felt compelled to say, "I'm not a lawyer, but I play one on TV." Luckily I used that line on Betsy and got it out of my system.

We sat with Betsy, her friend Sara, and some cute UNLV law students. Bryce was a lucky man surrounded by lots of lovely ladies. I should have taken a picture of the food becuase it was as beautiful as it was delicious. A good time was had by all.

Then it was time for the program. I'm sure I will butcher this becuase I don't have my paper in front of me, but the head lawyer for the Church spoke for a few minutes, and then Lloyd D. George (for whom the federal courthouse is named) introduced Harry Reid. Senator Reid talked to us as a member of the Church and native Nevadan rather than as a senator, and I found him to be likeable--if a bit full of himself. I don't mean that rudely. Seriously, how do you get in that position if you're not extremely confident? It was interesting to hear him talk about some of his cases as a trial lawyer (against Lloyd D. George!) and his feelings as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also recounted the story of how Judge Dawson (Bryce's judge) came to accept the appointment to the federal bench. He was a very good speaker, very personable and entertaining.

Unfortunately right after his remarks he was whisked away by his body guards, so I never got a picture. I should've just snapped one anyway, right? Except that those body guards looked pretty serious . . .

After the dinner I was introduced to so many nice people Bryce works with, including Judge George. He's in his 80s and he knew my cousin Una quite well, so I have a soft spot for him. He told the best story about being a pool boy at The Sands casino long ago. His supervisor told him to bring two lounge chairs and a screwdriver over for Frank Sinatra and his crew. Young Lloyd D. George brought the lounge chairs and a semi-working umbrella, and set out to look for a screwdriver. About 30 minutes later he came back and apologized that he couldn't find one anywhere. Frank Sinatra snapped, "I want a screwdriver the drink, not the tool, you imbicile!" Oh boy, I got a good laugh out of that.

Afterwards we walked around the grounds and listened the all the live bands, and wondered, why don't we come here more often? And Betsy, why didn't I get my picture taken with you?



Even though I didn't get a photo with the Senator Reid, I think he looked right at me and I just smiled. I'm pretty sure Bryce was proud--because I played within myself, and I acted like I'd been there before.