Jazmin Li
In 2021, Las Vegas McCarran International Airport was officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport. The airport had been named after Senator Pat McCarran since 1948 due to his vocal advocacy for the aviation industry. However, McCarran's legacy has been criticised for being racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic, particularly due to his restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust. The name change aimed to celebrate former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state and reflect Nevada's diverse population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous Name | McCarran International Airport |
| New Name | Harry Reid International Airport |
| Previous Name Origin | Named after Patrick Anthony McCarran, a Democratic politician born in Reno, Nevada, in 1876 |
| New Name Reason | To honour Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada |
| Previous Name Criticism | McCarran had a legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia, and imposed restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust |
| Renaming Cost | $7.2 million |
| Renaming Funding | Private donations |
| Renaming Date | December 14, 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
Senator Pat McCarran's controversial legacy
In 2021, the Las Vegas airport was renamed from McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport, sparking a discussion about the controversial legacy of Senator Pat McCarran, for whom the airport was originally named. Pat McCarran was a prominent political figure in Nevada and served as a Democratic United States Senator from 1933 until his death in 1954. While McCarran is remembered for his contributions to aviation and the development of Las Vegas, his legacy is also marred by a record of racism, anti-communism, and xenophobia.
One of the most contentious aspects of McCarran's legacy is his anti-communist stance, which led to his involvement in the creation of the McCarran Internal Security Act of 1950. This legislation, passed over President Harry S. Truman's veto, required communist organizations to register with the government and authorized the government to detain individuals deemed dangerous without trial during times of war or "internal security emergency." The act was widely criticized for infringing on civil liberties and remains a controversial piece of legislation in American history.
McCarran also held racist views and was known for his opposition to civil rights for African Americans. He opposed the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education and supported segregationist policies. Additionally, McCarren had a history of anti-Semitic remarks and actions, including making derogatory statements about Jews and blocking Jewish refugees from obtaining visas to enter the United States during World War II.
Another controversial aspect of McCarran's legacy is the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, which he co-sponsored. This legislation revised the immigration and naturalization laws and introduced a quota system that favored Northern European immigrants, discriminating against immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as Asians. The act also restricted immigration based on race, allowing for the exclusion of anyone deemed to be a potential threat to the "public interest" or "national welfare."
Despite these controversies, McCarran played a significant role in the development of aviation in the United States. He was a strong advocate for the aviation industry and worked to promote the establishment of airports and air routes, including those in his home state of Nevada. McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas was named after him in recognition of his efforts to bring commercial air service to the city.
In conclusion, Senator Pat McCarran's controversial legacy is a complex mix of his contributions to aviation and the development of Las Vegas, overshadowed by his racist, anti-communist, and xenophobic views and actions. The renaming of the Las Vegas airport reflects a growing recognition of the need to address and reckon with the more unsavory aspects of his legacy.
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Harry Reid's contributions to Nevada
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly McCarran International Airport, changed its name in December 2021 to honour former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada. Senator Pat McCarran, the airport's previous namesake, had a legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia, as he imposed restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust.
Harry Mason Reid Jr., born in 1939 in Searchlight, Nevada, was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a United States senator from Nevada from 1987 to 2017 and was the Senate Majority Leader from 2007 to 2015. Before his election to the US Senate, Reid served as the lieutenant governor of Nevada from 1971 to 1975 and as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981.
- Opposition to Yucca Mountain Repository: Reid firmly opposed the construction of the proposed Yucca Mountain federal nuclear waste repository in Nevada, protecting the state from potentially harmful environmental impacts.Conservation and Public Lands Management: Reid championed the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act of 1998, which has redirected billions of dollars in proceeds from public land sales to conservation initiatives, land acquisitions, new parks and trails, and capital projects for federal land management agencies in Nevada. His efforts were recognised by the League of Conservation Voters and the Conservation Lands Foundation.
- Support for Immigration Reform: Reid prioritised immigration reform, backing the DREAM Act, which aimed to provide conditional legal status and opportunities for higher education or military service to certain high school graduates who entered the US illegally.
- Economic Impact: Reid played a central role in the debate over the national debt ceiling in 2011, helping draft a bipartisan agreement that raised the debt ceiling while imposing spending cuts. His leadership during this critical economic discussion likely had a significant impact on Nevada's economic outlook.
- Las Vegas and the Gaming Industry: As a former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, Reid worked to reduce mob influence in the state's casinos. Additionally, his position on certain legislative issues, such as online poker, was seen as beneficial to the Las Vegas casino industry, which contributed to his reelection campaigns.
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The process of changing the airport's name
The process of changing an airport's name involves multiple stakeholders and can be a complex journey. In the case of the Las Vegas airport renaming, the process was initiated by Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who pushed for the name change due to Senator Pat McCarran's controversial legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. The proposal gained momentum during Black History Month and received unanimous approval from the Clark County Commission in December 2021, leading to the official renaming of the airport to Harry Reid International Airport.
The process of changing an airport's name typically involves gaining approval from various stakeholders, including government decision-makers, local authorities, senior airport leadership, partners, employees, and passengers. The name change should align with the overall business objectives and long-term vision of the airport. Additionally, approval for IATA location codes must be obtained from IATA in Montreal, as these codes help identify the airport and are often used in conjunction with the new name.
The first phase of the renaming process involves changing primary signage around the airport's outdoor areas, including the entrance and curbside areas. The second phase focuses on changing signage throughout the airport, from the curb to the gates. The final phase includes updating business cards, stationery, and other concessionaire-related materials.
Funding for the renaming process can come from various sources, such as private donations or airport funds. In the case of the Las Vegas airport renaming, the airport collected $4.2 million in private donations to initiate the project, with an estimated remaining cost of $3 million.
The process of changing an airport's name can be complex and time-consuming, and it is important to carefully consider the potential impact on the airport's operations, reputation, and connectivity to the global aviation ecosystem. Additionally, there may be specific requirements or procedures mandated by aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, which must be followed when making official name changes. Some changes may require approval from regional or airport district offices for specific aspects, such as the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Index.
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The history of the airport
The history of Harry Reid International Airport dates back to the 1920s. The airport was first built on an airfield known as Anderson Field, which opened in 1920. In January 1943, the airport opened as Alamo Field, catering to general aviation. In December 1948, it was renamed McCarran Field after US Senator Pat McCarran, a Democrat from Nevada. McCarran played a significant role in shaping aviation legislation and advocated for a strong national defence. The airport became the primary commercial airport in Las Vegas and underwent expansions and innovations over the years.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, America West Airlines was the busiest airline at McCarran, offering cheap night flights to Las Vegas. By the late 1990s, Southwest Airlines had become the largest carrier at the airport. In 2003, McCarran became the first airport in the country to install common-use self-service kiosks for customer check-in and boarding pass issuance. In 2005, the airport began implementing a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system for baggage tracking, pioneering this technology on a large scale.
In 2021, there were calls to rename the airport due to McCarran's controversial legacy of racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism. He had imposed restrictive immigration policies and attempted to block Jewish people from government positions. The push for the name change reflected broader trends in removing offensive names and symbols. As a result, the airport was officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport in December 2021, honouring the contributions of former US Senator Harry Reid to the state of Nevada. The name change process involved updating signage, digital presence, and various materials, with funding coming from private donations.
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Reactions to the name change
The name change of Las Vegas McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport in 2021 was met with mixed reactions. Some people supported the move, as it was seen as a way to remove McCarran's controversial legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. Others, however, criticised the decision, arguing that the new name failed to reflect the city's identity and that the funds could have been better spent elsewhere.
Support for the name change came amid Black History Month and reflected broader trends in removing racially or culturally offensive names and symbols. Many people welcomed the change as a way to address McCarran's legacy of restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust and his attempts to block Jewish people from positions in government. The name change also aimed to celebrate former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada.
On the other hand, some Las Vegans expressed their disappointment with the new name, suggesting that the airport should be named "Las Vegas International Airport" to better reflect the city's identity and be more recognisable worldwide. A petition was even started on Change.org, calling for the name change to be overturned and criticising the use of private funds for the project while thousands of people were still out of work.
The name change also presented logistical challenges, with the airport acknowledging that travellers would continue to see the former airport name in various locations during the transition. The airport estimated that the total cost of the name change would be around \$7.2 million, with all funding for the project coming from private donations.
Overall, the reactions to the name change of Las Vegas McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport were mixed, with some people supporting the removal of McCarran's controversial legacy and celebrating Senator Reid's contributions, while others criticised the new name for not representing the city of Las Vegas and expressed concerns about the use of funds for the project.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport was renamed to remove the legacy of Sen. Pat McCarran, who has been criticised for his racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic views.
The previous name of the airport was McCarran International Airport, formerly McCarran Field.
The airport was renamed after former US Senator Harry Reid, in recognition of his contributions to the state of Nevada.
The airport was officially renamed on December 14, 2021, following unanimous approval by the Clark County Commission.
The airport's new name is Harry Reid International Airport.
