Justices pay tribute to retiring Young

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002 | 9:19 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Cliff Young is capping a career that has seen him serve as a congressman, state senator and justice on the Nevada Supreme Court.

Friends, family and former law clerks gathered Wednesday to honor Young, describing him as a statesman, a man of integrity and commitment and one who made decisions without regard to politics.

After the accolades, Young said, "I feel like a pancake when the syrup is poured upon it."

During his career, Young has seen a federal building in Reno, his hometown, named after him, made the state Senate Hall of Fame and was recognized by Common Cause for his contributions to judicial reform.

Young, who celebrated his 80th birthday last week, will step down from the state Supreme Court at the end of his term in January. Wednesday marked the last day he would hear oral arguments at the court.

As a final tribute, Chief Justice Bill Maupin resigned the top job and said Young would finish out his term as chief justice.

Young was praised by fellow justices for helping start the "fast track" system in handling criminal appeals, beginning settlement conferences on the court on civil appeals and authoring a plan to speed up disposition of death penalty cases.

Justice Miriam Shearing, the first woman elected to the Supreme Court, said there were some difficult times early in her term, but that she "always got support and encouragement to do the right thing" from Young.

Several speakers talked about Young's sense of humor. Justice Bob Rose said Young "injected humor so we would not take ourselves too seriously."

Young, a Republican, served two terms as Nevada's lone congressman from 1952 to 1956 but lost a bid in 1956 to unseat Sen. Alan Bible. He returned to private law practice in Reno and then was elected in 1966 to the state Senate, where he served for 14 years. He then won election in 1984 to the Supreme Court.

An outdoorsman, Young received the National Humanitarian Award from the National Parks & Recreation Association, was named Sportsman of the Year in Reno and was president of the National Wildlife Federation.

While in the Legislature, he was a supporter of attempts to protect wild horses. He introduced the first "bottle bill," an effort to preserve the outdoors from glass and other debris.

Young's office is still adorned with his hunting trophies. Justice Deborah Agosti praised Young, before joking, "except for those dead animals in your office."

Justice Nancy Becker said Young spoke without regard to politics, and Justice Myron Leavitt said Young has "been a steady rock to me."

Young will be succeeded in January by District Judge Mark Gibbons of Las Vegas.