Manny Cortez died in Las Vegas on June 18, 2006.  Manny retired in 2004 after 13 years as President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, including the period during which the “What happens in Las Vegas Stays in Las Vegas” ad campaign originated.  His leadership and vision is credited with helping make Las Vegas one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was a Clark County Commissioner for 4 terms.  Prior to that he was an administrator of the Nevada Taxicab Authority in the 70s.  In 1999, the Travel Agent magazine named Manny the United States Person of the Year.  The same year, the Manuel J. Cortez Elementary School on Tonopah Avenue in Las Vegas was named for him.  He was married to Joanna Musso (LVHS Class of 1955) for 45 years.  He had two daughters and two grandchildren.