Cannon’s life

Wednesday, March 6, 2002 | 11:27 a.m.

The life and career of former U.S. Sen. Howard Cannon:

EDUCATION: Graduated from Dixie Junior College in St. George, 1931; bachelor's degree in education from Arizona Teachers College, Flagstaff, Ariz., 1933; law degree from University of Arizona, 1937; honorary doctorate of law degrees from Arizona State College, 1962, and UNLV, 1970.

CAREER: Admitted to the bar in 1937 and began practice in St. George, 1938; reference attorney for Utah state Senate, 1939; Washington County, Utah, attorney, 1940; Air Force, 1941-46; law practice in Las Vegas, 1946; Las Vegas city attorney, 1949-1958; Nevada Board of Bar Examiners, 1950-55.

POLITICS: A Democrat, served in U.S. Senate, 1958-1982. Chairman of Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; second ranking member of Armed Services Committee; ranking member of the Rules and Administration Committee; chairman of Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies; member of the Joint Committee on the Library of Commerce, Senate Office Building Commission, Democratic Steering Committee, Review Commission on National Policy Toward Gaming.

MILITARY HONORS: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart, European Theatre Ribbon with eight battle stars, France's Croix de Guerre, Silver Star and Presidential Citation. Retired as a major general in the Air Force Reserve.

OTHER HONORS: Reno-Cannon International Airport named for him in 1981, though name later changed to Reno-Tahoe International Airport; enshrined in National Association of Air Traffic Specialists Hall of Fame, 1981.