Assemblyman Bob Price recovers from heart attack

Sandra Chereb

Wednesday, March 25, 1998 | 11:46 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - Assemblyman Bob Price figures he was lucky that his heart attack occurred at the Reno airport with a passerby who knew mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and a doctor nearby.

Price, D-North Las Vegas, began having chest pains about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday just after getting off a plane at the airport.

"I'm glad this happened at the airport and not at home," he said. "They said I quit having a pulse for about two minutes. Some lady just walking by who knew about mouth-to-mouth came by and gave me mouth-to-mouth and got me going."

Price, 61, was on his way to attend an Interim Finance Committee meeting in Carson City. Assemblywoman Saundra Krenzer, D-Las Vegas, was on the same flight.

A legislative police officer, who was sent to pick them up, assisted with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he said.

"Sandy was running around hollering for a doctor ... who also showed up," Price said. "I was really lucky."

Price was listed in satisfactory condition, hospital spokeswoman Kerri Garcia said.

"Actually, I feel real good," Price said Wednesday. "The doctor said that this was a wakeup call for me ... and to quit screwing around with my diabetes."

Price was diagnosed with diabetes about four years ago. The disease contributed to a staph infection in his feet and forced him to spend a portion of the 1997 Legislature in a wheelchair.

He was first elected to the Assembly in 1974 and is the second-longest serving member after Speaker Joe Dini.

He has served as chairman of the Assembly Taxation Committee for six sessions and is credited for his efforts to open up the legislative process to public scrutiny, from reforming the lobbyist financial reporting system to getting lawmakers to identify themselves on their bill draft requests.

Price said his latest health problems won't deter him from seeking re-election in November.

"I really enjoy the Legislature," he said. "I enjoy the process."

Besides, he said, "Walking door-to-door will probably be good for me."