Owais Crawford
The Las Vegas McCarran International Airport was officially renamed the Harry Reid International Airport in December 2021. The airport, which opened in 1943, was originally named after U.S. Senator Pat McCarran, who was known for his racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic views. The name change was initiated by Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who pushed for the removal of McCarran's controversial legacy and the celebration of former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state. Despite some opposition to the new name, the Clark County Commission unanimously approved the change, and the airport is now known as the Harry Reid International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous name | McCarran International Airport |
| New name | Harry Reid International Airport |
| Reason for renaming | McCarran's legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia |
| Date of renaming | December 14, 2021 |
| Renamed by | Clark County Commission |
| Vote result | Unanimous |
| Name change expenses | Covered by private donations |
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What You'll Learn
- Senator Pat McCarran's legacy was criticised for being racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic
- McCarran restricted immigration, limiting Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust
- McCarran's legacy sparked the call for renaming, as part of a societal push to remove historically offensive names
- The airport was renamed to celebrate former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state
- The name change was approved unanimously by the Clark County Commission
Senator Pat McCarran's legacy was criticised for being racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic
McCarran was also known for his work with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the anti-communist hysteria of the Cold War era. McCarran's controversial legacy, including his racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic views, led to the push to rename the airport. Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom led the effort, emphasising the need to remove McCarran's name from what had become a multicultural hub in the United States.
The renaming of the airport reflects a broader societal trend to remove "historically offensive" names and disown personalities linked to racism, colonialism, and other controversial legacies. The Clark County Commission unanimously approved the name change in February 2021, and the airport was officially rebranded as Harry Reid International Airport in December 2021.
While some supported the name change, others expressed a preference for a simpler name like “Las Vegas International Airport" or even "Sin City International." Some also questioned the practice of naming public service facilities after individuals, especially those who are still alive, as it can be polarising and subject to change as historical evaluations evolve.
Despite the criticism of his legacy, Senator McCarran did play a significant role in aviation policy and legislation. He authored the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1934, which regulated air travel, and the Federal Airport Act of 1945, which facilitated the development of a nationwide network of public airports.
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McCarran restricted immigration, limiting Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust
The former McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas was renamed in December 2021 to the Harry Reid International Airport. The airport was originally named after Senator Pat McCarran, who played a vital role in early aviation legislation. However, McCarran was also known for his legacy of racism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism.
In the late 1930s, Jews fleeing Nazi persecution in Europe were referred to as "refugees," but this term held no legal meaning under US law. At the time, US immigration policies were restricted and calculated based on the "national origins" of the population. The US government turned away thousands of Jewish refugees, fearing that they were Nazi spies. The media perpetuated these fears, and public opinion was influenced by headlines announcing new Nazi conquests.
During this period, immigration restrictions tightened as the refugee crisis worsened. In 1921 and 1924, the US Congress passed immigration laws that severely limited the number and "national origin" of new immigrants. These laws remained unchanged in the 1930s, even as desperate Jewish refugees attempted to escape Nazi Germany. The US government's actions created a stark contrast with the news emerging from Nazi Germany, where Nazis were carrying out mass murder.
The McCarran-Walter Immigration Act, which came into effect later, further impacted Jewish immigration to the United States. It introduced legal distinctions between native-born and naturalized Americans, making admission for Jews from countries with small immigration quotas practically impossible. The Act was criticized by President Truman, who called it "racial," and it was opposed by Jewish organizations and religious groups.
The renaming of the airport reflects a societal push to remove "historically offensive" names and aims to celebrate former Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state, particularly his role in expanding the Las Vegas airport and securing funding for aviation infrastructure.
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McCarran's legacy sparked the call for renaming, as part of a societal push to remove historically offensive names
The Las Vegas airport was renamed from McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport in December 2021. The renaming was initiated by Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who played a vital role in the process, highlighting Senator Pat McCarran's controversial legacy.
McCarran was criticized for his racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic views, which included imposing restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust. His collaboration with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the anti-communist hysteria further tarnished his legacy. As a result, the call for renaming the airport reflected a broader societal push to remove "historically offensive" names.
Senator Harry Reid, on the other hand, was honored for his significant contributions to Nevada and the airport's expansion projects. He played a crucial role in securing funding and support for aviation infrastructure during his political career. The decision to rename the airport after him was met with some resistance, with some people preferring the previous name or a more generic alternative, such as "Las Vegas International Airport."
The renaming of the airport is part of a broader trend of places, such as schools, buildings, and squares, being renamed to disown personalities linked to racism, colonialism, and other controversial legacies. This reflects a societal shift towards celebrating diverse and inclusive values.
The process of renaming the airport began at the county level, with the Clark County Commission voting unanimously for the change. The expenses for updating signage and other materials were covered by private donations.
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The airport was renamed to celebrate former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state
Senator Harry Reid, on the other hand, played a significant role in expanding the Las Vegas airport and securing funding for aviation infrastructure during his political career. Various speakers praised Reid's efforts in securing funding and support for airport projects, emphasizing his crucial role in the facility's growth. The name change reflected Nevada's diverse population and was approved unanimously by the Clark County Commission.
Some people have expressed their preference for the previous name, McCarran International Airport, purely based on how it sounds. Others have suggested that the airport should have been renamed ""Las Vegas International Airport" or "Sin City International" to avoid naming it after a person. The expenses for changing the signage and other materials due to the name change were covered by private donations.
The airport, located five miles south of downtown Las Vegas, covers 2,800 acres of land and has four runways and two terminals. It first opened in the 1920s as Anderson Field and was renamed McCarran Field in the 1940s after Senator Pat McCarran. It became the primary commercial airport in Las Vegas and underwent expansions and innovations over the years.
In 2021, the airport was renamed Harry Reid International Airport to honor the former senator's contributions to the state and the airport's development. The name change occurred just two weeks before the ex-senator's death, and he expressed his gratitude for the honor in a statement released by his family.
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The name change was approved unanimously by the Clark County Commission
The name change from McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport was approved unanimously by the Clark County Commission in February 2021. The airport, located five miles south of downtown Las Vegas, was originally named after Senator Pat McCarran. However, McCarran's legacy has been criticised for being racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic, particularly due to his imposition of restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust.
The push to rename the airport was led by Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who emphasised the need to remove McCarran's name from what is now a multicultural hub. The name change reflects a broader societal push to remove historically offensive names and disown personalities linked to racism, colonialism, and other crimes. The renaming also aimed to celebrate former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to Nevada, particularly his role in securing funding and support for Las Vegas airport expansion projects.
The decision to rename the airport was not without controversy, with some people expressing a preference for the previous name, McCarran International Airport. Others suggested alternative names such as "Las Vegas International Airport" or "Sin City International". The expenses for changing the signage and other materials were covered by private donations, amounting to around $4 million.
The official renaming ceremony took place on December 14, 2021, just two weeks before Reid's death. The airport is now known as Harry Reid International Airport, reflecting the recognition of Senator Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada.
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Frequently asked questions
McCarran Airport was renamed to remove the airport's association with Senator Pat McCarran, who was criticised for his legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia.
The airport was renamed after Senator Harry Reid, who played a significant role in Las Vegas airport expansion projects and securing funding for aviation infrastructure during his political career.
The airport's new name is Harry Reid International Airport.
The airport was officially renamed on 14 December 2021.
