Jim Sensenbrenner: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2054 gives congressional consent for the States of Utah and Nevada to enact a compact modifying the…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2054 gives congressional consent for the States of Utah and Nevada to enact a compact modifying the boundary between the two States. Last November, along with the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), I had the opportunity to visit the towns of Wendover and West Wendover. Though a line drawn down the main street separates the two towns and States, they continue to share a common culture. Economically, however, they stand in stark contrast to one another. Wendover, Utah, was established in 1907 and grew from a sleepy railroad supply station to a bustling community during the 1940s, when it acted as an Air Force training base for B-29 bomber crews, including the crew of the Enola Gay. Once having a population of nearly 20,000, today Wendover's population has declined to only 1,500 residents, most of them living in adverse economic conditions and dilapidated housing. On the other side of the State line, literally a stone's throw away, conditions are vastly different. West Wendover, Nevada's beginning stems from a local Wendover resident realizing by opening a gas station on the town's western edge, he could legally operate gaming devices on his property. Many years later his recipe for success has been copied by many, resulting in a prosperous town which has a vibrant community life as well as a profitable gaming industry.”