NATIONAL GAMBLING IMPACT STUDY COMMISSION

REDENIA GILLIAM-MOSEE

CHAIRPERSON JAMES: Ms. Redenia Gilliam -- is it Moss?

MS. GILLIAM-MOSEE: Mosee.

CHAIRPERSON JAMES: Mosee.

MS. GILLIAM-MOSEE: Yes.

CHAIRPERSON JAMES: Welcome.

MS. GILLIAM-MOSEE: Good afternoon.

Who are the faces of people who work in the casino industry? Oftentimes we talk about the gaming industry as though they are people who in themselves are not a part of our community. We are people who attend church. We are people who are on the boards of trustees at churches, synagogues, mosques. We are people who are on the boards of planning boards, zoning boards. We're also very active in school boards associations. We are people who care about our families, and for that reason we need to put a face to the entity of who the people are in gaming.

As a junior high school student in Atlantic City, I worked summers as a chambermaid, responsible for 22 rooms per day at $30 a week. During the Democratic Convention in '64, I was an elevator operator and had the honor of transporting Bobby Kennedy and Pierre Salinger, and in 1978, after finishing Wilberforce University and spending a year abroad at the University of Hull, I returned to Livingston College, Rutgers University, and was asked to join Atlantic City as Bally's corporate officer in 1978.

I have been there almost 20 years. I believe that one of the major impacts of gaming in Atlantic City is that more residents have an opportunity to come home and to stay home.

But more so than that, I know that there are employees who volunteer with community based organizations, contribute to more religious institutions, provide a lot for their churches and the churches' expansions, and also provide for their families.

Time does not permit me to adequately express my belief, as well as the belief of those who have traveled here with me today. Each of their statements are included in my submission. Briefly, all of these employees began at entry level jobs and worked to obtain management positions.

For example, residents, husband and wife, Dan and Juanita Hooper, originally dealers, utilize our tuition reimbursement program to gain additional games training. They are 18-year employees.

Hilda Roman is one of 11 members that are part of our Hilton family for 14 years, and David Harlowe entered gaming as a bus greeter 18 years ago, currently is a manager at the Atlantic City Hilton, and Steven Care is another 18-year employee, began as a security officer.

I am pleased to have been here this morning to hear that you will be coming to Atlantic City. There are many people that we must put a face to this industry. We provide 70 percent of our taxes. We're happy to be a part of this industry, and we're happy to work with our community in Atlantic City to make it better because overall it is better.

I thank you for this time.

CHAIRPERSON JAMES: Thank you.