Shelley Berkley learning the ropes for Washington role

Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998 | 11:13 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- For many freshman congressmen, living, working and understanding the nation's capital will be a big adjustment when they report to work in January.

But this will not be the case for Rep.-elect Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., who at one point in her career worked as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill.

"Over the last several years when I served in the Legislature and on the (University of Nevada) Board of Regents ... I have worked very hard to prepare myself to represent the people of Nevada," she said. "I am feeling very excited about the prospects, and know that I have a good, solid foundation on which to build."

Berkley is in Washington to begin a two-week orientation to learn how Congress works, vote for Democratic Party leaders and meet her new colleagues. During her visit, she must also set aside time to find a place to live, hire a staff and decide where her office should be located.

Berkley is not without company on this trip. Richard Urey, her newly appointed chief of staff, is along. He's learning all the tangibles an effective second-in-command must know.

"Our intent is to hit the ground running and be ready as soon as I am sworn in to start providing services to our constituents," Berkley said.

Mike Dayton, chief of staff to Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., knows the growing pains Berkley and Urey will experience. When Gibbons was elected in 1996, Dayton traveled the same road.

"It really was an exciting time," Dayton said.

Dayton said Gibbons has offered to help Berkley get adjusted to Washington, and Dayton has made the same pledge to Urey.

"My suggestion to them is to ask as many questions as possible and don't be afraid to ask for help," Dayton said. "Everybody is willing to help each other out during this time."

Berkley will not be appointed to the House Ways and Means seat that was held by Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev. There is only one Democratic seat open on the committee that regulates taxes and other revenue producers for the government, and Berkley has been told she will not get it.

But Berkley, who built her campaign around education, said she might try for an appointment to the House Education and Workforce Committee. The former deputy director of the Nevada Commerce Department also said she is interested on serving on the House Banking and Financial Services Committee.

Berkley already has a network of friends and associates in Washington, including people associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and many national women's organizations. She is also close friends with Reps. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., and Martin Frost, D-Texas.

Berkley said she is going to try to find a home near Capitol Hill so that she can be close to work.

"During the campaign, I promised that I would go to Washington to fight for Southern Nevada and that is what I am going to do," she said.