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Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas was previously named after Senator Patrick McCarran, a powerful Nevada Democrat politician with a career spanning over 50 years. McCarran was a supporter of the aviation industry and sponsored several laws to support its growth, including the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 and the Federal Airport Act of 1945. However, McCarran had also been accused of racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia, which led to the Clark County Commission voting unanimously to rename the airport in February 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patrick Anthony McCarran |
| Birth Year | 1876 |
| Death Year | 1954 |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| Political Career | 50+ years |
| Political Positions | Nevada Legislator, District Attorney for Tonopah, Nevada State Supreme Court Justice, United States Senator |
| Notable Political Stances | Anti-Communist, Anti-Union, Anti-Immigration, Anti-United Nations, Anti-Interventionist, Anti-Semitic, Racist, Xenophobic |
| Aviation Industry Involvement | Sponsored the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 and the Federal Airport Act of 1945, advocated for the establishment of an independent Air Force, helped fund and build the first Las Vegas Field terminal |
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What You'll Learn
Patrick McCarran's political career
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas was previously named after Patrick McCarran, a prominent political figure in Nevada's history. McCarran served as a Democratic United States Senator from Nevada and played a significant role in shaping the state's aviation industry and other policies.
In 1932, McCarran ran for the United States Senate and won, becoming the first senator from Nevada to serve three terms. He chaired the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce and later the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he played a key role in shaping aviation policy. McCarran was a strong advocate for the aviation industry and sponsored the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, which established the Civil Aeronautics Board and provided for the regulation of commercial aviation. He also sponsored the Federal Airport Act, which provided for the development and improvement of public airports and is considered one of the most important pieces of aviation legislation in US history.
Beyond his contributions to aviation policy, McCarran also played a significant role in other areas of legislation. He was a strong supporter of civil liberties and sponsored the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which aimed to protect the right to vote for racial minorities. However, McCarran also had a complex legacy, as he opposed some New Deal policies and was known for his anti-Communist views, which led to controversial policies such as the McCarran Internal Security Act of 1950.
McCarran's influence extended beyond his legislative work. He was a powerful figure in Nevada politics and played a key role in shaping the state's economy and development. He was a strong supporter of the gaming industry and worked to ensure that Nevada became the entertainment capital of the world. McCarran also had a significant impact on water policy, helping to secure water rights for the state and playing a key role in the development of the Hoover Dam.
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McCarran's legacy and controversy
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas was named after Senator Patrick McCarran, who was a powerful political broker in Washington and Nevada's most powerful politician at the time. McCarran's legislative record reflects his dedication to Nevada's interests and the broader national welfare. He played a key role in shaping federal aviation policy, leading to the dedication of Las Vegas's airport in his honour.
McCarran's legacy is contentious. On the one hand, he was well-liked among Nevadans for his populist stances and support for workers' rights. He also sponsored legislation that helped shape the modern air travel industry. However, he has been accused of racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia. His anti-communist stance matched that of Joseph McCarthy, and he was involved in several controversies, including his opposition to some of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's policies and nominees. McCarran was also against federal health insurance and increased education spending and favoured restricting the power of unions.
In recent years, there has been a push to remove McCarran's name and statue from public spaces due to his controversial legacy. In 2020, a bill was introduced in the Nevada State Senate to remove the statue and rename the airport, but it failed to pass. Finally, in 2021, the airport was officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport, and the statue was removed from the US Capitol.
McCarran's legacy continues to be reevaluated and debated, reflecting a broader trend of reexamining historical figures through the lens of current societal values.
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The process of renaming the airport
The process of renaming an airport is not an easy task and can be quite tricky. Airports are often seen as "statements of national pride", and the choice of a new name can be highly political. The renaming of an airport usually involves bureaucratic procedures and requires the involvement and alignment of various stakeholders and levels of government. There needs to be a significant and compelling reason for the change, as it can cost millions of dollars to reprint maps, change signs, and educate the public about the new name.
In the case of McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, the process of renaming it to Harry Reid International Airport began with growing support among Nevada politicians for removing Senator Pat McCarran's name from the airport due to his antisemitic and racist beliefs. On February 16, 2021, the Clark County Commissioners voted unanimously to officially change the name of the airport to honour former U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada. The name change took place after receiving federal approval in December 2021, just before Reid's death.
Public influence and petitions can also play a role in the process of renaming an airport. For example, in Singapore, an online petition with over 12,000 signatures proposed to rename Changi Airport after the nation's founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew. The petition reached the Minister of Transport and was accepted by the government for consideration. Similarly, a grassroots campaign in Oakland, California, aims to rename Oakland International Airport after Maggie Gee, a pioneering female aviator and member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) during World War II.
While the decision-making process for renaming an airport can be lengthy and complex, it is often driven by the desire to honour influential figures, recognise national heroes, or rebrand and communicate a clearer vision for the future of the airport and the city it serves.
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Harry Reid's legacy
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas was renamed in honour of Senator Harry Reid, celebrating his contributions to the state of Nevada. The airport was previously named after Senator Patrick McCarran, who played a significant role in shaping aviation legislation. However, McCarran's legacy has been criticised for his history of racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia.
Harry Reid served in the Senate for 30 years, including eight years as majority leader. He was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly for the people of Nevada. Known for his strong leadership and commitment to his state, Reid played a crucial role in shaping policies that benefited Nevada. As the majority leader, he was able to use his influence to bring attention and resources to his home state.
One of Reid's most notable achievements was his work in the area of economic development. He was instrumental in bringing new businesses and industries to Nevada, creating jobs and boosting the state's economy. Reid recognised the potential of the aviation industry in Nevada and worked to support and expand the state's airports. This included advocating for federal funding for airport infrastructure projects, which helped to modernise and expand Nevada's airports, increasing their capacity and attracting more airlines to the state.
In addition to his work on economic development, Reid was also dedicated to improving education in Nevada. He believed that investing in education was crucial for the state's future and worked to secure funding for schools and universities. Reid also supported initiatives to make college more affordable for Nevada students, including expanding access to financial aid and scholarships. As a result of his efforts, high school graduation rates in the state increased, and more Nevada students had the opportunity to pursue higher education.
Reid also had a strong record on environmental issues. He worked to protect Nevada's natural resources and public lands, ensuring that they would be preserved for future generations to enjoy. This included sponsoring legislation to designate new national parks and monuments in the state and strengthening protections for endangered species. Reid also recognised the importance of balancing environmental protection with economic development and worked to promote clean energy initiatives that created jobs while also reducing the state's carbon footprint.
In addition to his work in the Senate, Reid was also known for his dedication to his family and his home state. He was born and raised in Nevada and maintained strong ties to the state throughout his life. He was a proud Nevadan and was known for his love of the state's natural beauty and unique culture. Reid was also a devoted husband and father, and he worked to ensure that his family remained a top priority even during his busy career. He often credited his wife and children as his source of strength and motivation, and they stood by his side throughout his political career.
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The history of the airport
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas was named after Senator Harry Reid in 2021. Previously, the airport was named after Senator Patrick McCarran, a powerful political figure in Nevada during the first half of the 20th century. McCarran was known for his advocacy for the aviation industry, including sponsoring the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 and the Federal Airport Act of 1945.
Born in 1876 in Reno, Nevada, to Irish immigrant parents, McCarran began his formal education at the age of ten. He later attended the University of Nevada but dropped out to help his family on their sheep ranch. McCarran continued his law studies while working on the ranch and eventually passed the bar examination. He began his political career in 1902, winning a seat in the Nevada legislature. Over the years, he held various positions, including district attorney for Tonopah and a seat on the Nevada State Supreme Court. McCarran was known for his populist stances and his support for labour rights.
In 1932, McCarran was elected to the United States Senate, where he gained a reputation for his independence from the Democratic Party. He opposed President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programmes and some of his interventionist policies in Europe. McCarran also favoured restricting the power of unions and opposed increased immigration, citing concerns about "undesirables from abroad". As a chairman of the Judiciary Committee, he appointed Senator James Eastland, a known white supremacist and segregationist, to chair the Senate Subcommittee on Civil Rights.
Despite his controversial views on immigration and labour rights, McCarran played a significant role in shaping aviation legislation and policy. In addition to sponsoring key laws, he lobbied for the construction of aviation infrastructure, including the Nellis Air Force Base. In recognition of his contributions to the aviation industry, the airfield in Las Vegas was named McCarran Field in 1948.
However, in recent years, there has been a push to remove McCarran's name from the airport due to his racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic beliefs. In February 2021, the Clark County Commission voted unanimously to rename the airport after Senator Harry Reid, who was known for his contributions to the state of Nevada. The official name change took place in December 2021, and the airport is now known as Harry Reid International Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Harry Reid International Airport was previously known as McCarran International Airport.
McCarran International Airport was named after Senator Pat McCarran.
Senator Pat McCarran was a Democrat.
Senator Pat McCarran's political career spanned over 50 years. He was a powerful politician and lobbyist, bringing businesses and industries to southern Nevada. He was a strong advocate for the aviation industry and sponsored several laws, including the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 and the Federal Airport Act of 1945.
The airport was renamed due to Senator McCarran's legacy of racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia. The name change aimed to celebrate former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada.
