Former Assemblyman Hawes dies at 97

Wednesday, April 10, 2002 | 8:22 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- G. Holbrook "George" Hawes, a former assemblyman and lobbyist believed to be the oldest Nevadan ever to hold elective office, died Tuesday at a local nursing home. He would have been 98 on May 10.

A colorful figure around Carson City, Hawes served 10 years on the elective board of trustees of Carson-Tahoe Hospital, retiring in 1998 at the age of 94.

State Archivist Guy Rocha said at the time there were no definitive records but it was reasonably certain Hawes was the oldest person ever elected to a public office in Nevada.

Former Gov. Mike O'Callaghan said Hawes was "always a gentleman."

"He came from the old school," O'Callaghan said. "He acted on those things he had a true belief in. He dealt from his heart as well as from his head. He was a bright guy."

Born and raised in Skowhegan, Maine, Hawes gained a bachelor's degree in education from Rutgers University and taught in the East before arriving in Nevada in 1942. He worked as a ranch hand in Elko County, taught school in eastern Nevada and was principal at elementary schools in Wells and East Ely.

He owned a Dodge car dealership in Ely from 1946 to 1949.

Hawes served in the 1951 and 1953 regular sessions of the Assembly as a Republican from White Pine County. He focused on the state Public Service Commission (now the Public Utilities Commission), which he felt was giving too many breaks to utilities and not enough to customers.

In a 1994 interview, Hawes said his bills in 1951 and 1953 led to the creation of the roadside park system, despite the reluctance of the state Highway Department to spend money on that venture.

Hawes introduced a bill in 1953 to repeal the 1911 law that prohibited marriages between races. The bill died, but in 1958 West Coast labor leader Harry Bridges successfully challenged the validity of the law in court. It was eventually wiped off the books.

Hawes introduced legislation creating a state Board of Health, legislation to require pre-marital examinations for syphilis before issuance of a marriage license, and legislation to prohibit minors from playing or loitering around a slot machine.

He ran for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor in 1954 but was defeated in the primary election. He later changed political parties and ran for the Assembly from Carson City as a Democrat in 1972 but lost.

Hawes worked for the state Highway Department for 13 years and headed the Senior Community Service Program in Carson City. He moved to Las Vegas in 1975 to become director of a similar senior citizens program.

He is survived by a son, David Hawes of Colorado.

Services have been tentatively set for 2 p.m. on April 16 at Fishery's Funeral Home in Carson City.