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Congressional Daily Record
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May 14, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMs. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I also rise today to honor the life of Ruby Duncan, who was a powerhouse in anti-poverty, welfare, and justice advocacy in Nevada for several decades. Ruby, sadly, passed away on April 6, 2026.
her life to uplifting women, children, and families; and she transformed Las Vegas' welfare system for generations to come.
Vegas in 1952, where she worked in the city's booming hotel and casino industries. Ruby was injured while working as a cook and found herself relying on social welfare programs to support her growing family. Ruby was met with a disjointed State welfare system.
individual's access to the resources that they needed to thrive. For Ruby, this inspired a lifetime devoted to breaking down those barriers for others.
in the welfare system, Ruby mobilized with other Black mothers to create the Clark County Welfare Rights Organization and, eventually, the Nevada Welfare Rights Organization.
organized sit-ins, eat-ins, and marched down the Las Vegas Strip to protest for better treatment for Nevada's families in need. Those efforts did not go unnoticed, prompting Nevada to reverse a 75-percent cut to welfare for women with children and participate in Federal nutrition assistance programs.
provide support and resources to families in West Las Vegas to this day. In 1972, she founded Operation Life, an organization tasked with bringing robust childcare, education, career, healthcare, and prevention services to a historically underserved neighborhood.
children, a childcare center, low-income housing, drug and violence prevention programs, and job training to the Westside. Today, these initiatives fuel a community made stronger because of Ruby and her relentless drive.
Ruby loved Nevada and made life better for everyone who lives there. As she once said, “If you want your life to get better, you got to fight for it.”
girl and then later was able to work with, I extend my deep condolences to Ruby's children, her family, her friends, and the countless lives that she touched. She will be dearly missed.
I yield the floor.