From the Roosevelt Fitzgerald Professional Papers (MS-01082) -- Unpublished manuscripts file.
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Oral history interview with Moises ‘Mo’ Denis conducted by Marcela Rodriguez-Campo on January 11, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Denis discusses his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York and how his parents emigrated from Cuba. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967, his parents' employment at the Sands Hotel and Casino, and converting from Catholicism to Mormonism. Denis talks about the formation of a Spanish-language Church of Latter-Day Saints in Las Vegas, his missionary work in Uruguay, and describes what it felt like to return to the United States. Later, Denis discusses his involvement in public services, his efforts to elect more Latinx politicians in Nevada, and being appointed as an assemblyman for the Nevada Legislature. He talks about his focus on education issues, supporting English language learners, and immigration reform at the national level. Lastly, Dennis describes the Hispanic Caucus and becoming Nevada State Senator for District 2.
Archival Collection
Interview with Ron Lurie by Barbara Tabach on June 5, 2015. In this interview, Lurie discusses his family and his time in politics, campaigning for office, and some of his accomplishments while in office as mayor and in the city council. He also talks about growing up in Las Vegas and attending Las Vegas High School, and working for his father, Art Lurie, in the grocery store business.
Ron Lurie was a rambunctious teenager when the Lurie family moved to Las Vegas from California. He adapted quickly to Las Vegas and made fast friends. He is a 1958 graduate of Las Vegas High School. His father, Art Lurie, a supermarket businessman, was also a well-known professional boxing judge and a former Nevada Athletic Commission chair. In 1987 Ron became the first person of Jewish ancestry to be elected Mayor of Las Vegas. Previously, he was fourteen year member of the Las Vegas City Council and served on many community boards and commissions. Since political office was not a fulltime position, Ron's career path developed in a couple of different ways. He tells the story of becoming a butcher and the opportunities he experienced becoming a successful salesman of gaming machines for Si Redd, IGT and others. His over three decade gaming career continues as of this oral history. He is executive vice president and general manager of Arizona Charlie's Decatur location. In this oral history he reflects on some of his political accomplishments as mayor and city councilman. He also served six years on the State of Nevada Wildlife Commission and is a member of the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn.
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