Veteran lawmakers honored

Erin Neff

Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 | 10:03 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Legislature honored its longest-serving lawmakers Thursday with praise for the foundations laid in a combined 76 years of service by Speaker Emeritus Joe Dini Jr. and former Sen. Lawrence "Jake" Jacobsen.

Jacobsen, a Gardnerville native and Pearl Harbor survivor, served 40 years in both houses of the Legislature. Dini, a Yerington native, served in the Assembly for 36 years.

The men were honored for transforming the Legislature from "a paper-based organization in two rooms in the Capitol," to the high-tech machine it has become.

"Now I know who to blame for the e-mail I don't like," quipped Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain.

Dini, 73, was singled out for helping create watchdog agencies for Lake Tahoe and for helping to open the door to free trade with Taiwan.

Jacobsen, 81, was honored as a World War II veteran who helped the Senate move into the Legislative Building. He also made sure lawmakers continued serving citizens in the spirit of old-time Nevada, using farm tours of rural areas.

"It recognizes two individuals who have probably meant as much to Nevada as any individuals in this state," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, noting that their combined 76 years of service is longer than "I am old."

Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said she felt sorry for the 2003 session's freshman class. "You could have learned under no greater masters," Buckley said.

Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, said the resolution honoring Dini and Jacobsen was more for the current lawmakers than the retired ones.

"Both men left this place better than when they came and left every one of us better for knowing them," Goldwater said.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said he owed his political career to Dini, whom he called a second father and the only Nevadan who will always be called "Mr. Speaker."

"Any failure I have as a politician is my own," Perkins said, looking to Dini. "Any success I have is a credit to you."