Shelley Berkley: “I came down to the floor to speak about Social Security and the President's plan to privatize, but after hearing the…”

“I came down to the floor to speak about Social Security and the President's plan to privatize, but after hearing the comments of the gentleman from Virginia regarding the gaming industry, I felt it is my responsibility as the Congresswoman from Las Vegas to speak on behalf of the gaming industry. I grew up in Las Vegas. I know the people well. I know the community well. And I know the industry well. My father has a ninth-grade education. He was a waiter when I was growing up. On a waiter's salary in a Las Vegas casino, he made enough money to put a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs and two daughters through college and law school. That is not so bad on a waiter's salary. The reason he was able to do that was because of a strong economy fueled by the gaming industry. For anybody that thinks that the social ills of this country are caused by gaming, I invite them to come to my beautiful city of Las Vegas and see for themselves firsthand the strong economy based on the gaming industry that is run by some of the most reputable people that I have ever met. Come to Las Vegas and see for yourself the wonders of that amazing community. ____________________”