Nevadans get up-close view of inauguration

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Four years ago, Jan Jenkins was in Washington, D.C., for President Clinton's first inauguration but ended up watching the event on television in a labor union meeting room.

Next Monday, however, the chairwoman of the Nevada Democratic Party from Las Vegas will get a bird's eye view of Clinton's second inaugural. She'll have a choice seat along with 39 other Nevadans in a section reserved for state party dignitaries on the mall between the Capitol and Washington Monument.

"If you're a political junkie, it's a perfect place to go to," Jenkins said. "It's a weekend event, and there will be all kinds of parties. I just hope I don't freeze my feet off."

This will be Jenkins' final inauguration as chairwoman. She will resign from the post next month and give way to Paul Henry, who serves as Las Vegas regional manager for Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Jenkins estimates about 100 Nevadans will be making the trip this weekend to join the festivities. Many of them, including Jenkins, will have breakfast with Reid and Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., the morning of the inauguration. Prominent Southern Nevadans expected to attend include Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones and Clark County Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates.

Another local community leader scheduled to attend is Edward Watson, president of African Americans for Energy Awareness.

"Every time you go to one of these functions you learn more about how the political process works," Jenkins said. "One of the most worthwhile things for me is to meet with other state party chairs and see how they solve problems."

Jenkins expects Clinton to address welfare reform, crime and the economy in his inauguration speech.

"It's just wonderful to be there to witness history," she said. "As a state party chair, I feel I played a role in the election, and in the president winning Nevada."

Joining her on the trip will be her mother, daughter and sister. The long weekend won't be cheap. Aside from the air fare and hotel rooms, Jenkins is spending $100 for a seat near the White House to watch the post-inauguration parade. She's also be forking over $150 to attend an inauguration ball that evening that Nevada is sharing with 13 other states.