Former Senate Leader Harry Reid — a champion of the billboard industry — died Tuesday (December 28). He was 82.  Reid rose from humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada, to become the Democratic leader in the Senate, including eight years in the majority.

Reid, who served in both the US House and Senate, referred to himself as the “king of billboards.”

Elected to the Senate in 1986, Reid (D-NV) led the effort to defeat anti-billboard legislation on the Senate floor in 1991. The Senate rejected an anti-billboard proposal by a bipartisan vote of 60-39. The adverse legislation was offered by Senator John Chafee, R-RI.

In 2015, the industry honored Senator Reid by presenting him the OAAA’s Distinguished Achievement Award of Excellence (“Myles Standish Award”).

Here is a sampling of photos of Senator Reid:

Senator Reid was a billboard customer.

Unveiling Senator Reid’s official portrait (2016) Reid is shown here with Hillary Clinton and Senator Mitch McConnell, R-KY

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