Lawmakers spar over plan to let girl sing at Legislature

Friday, Feb. 25, 2005 | 10:55 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- In a possible preview of the race for governor next year, Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., and Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, butted heads Thursday over a 12-year-old girl's appearance at the Nevada Legislature.

Gibbons said his staff asked Perkins for permission for Cethe Autumn of Gardnerville to sing the national anthem before the congressman gave his address to the joint session of the Legislature.

Perkins refused to allow the girl to sing and said every federal official -- each member of the state's congressional delegation who speaks to the Legislature -- is treated the same. He said Gibbons was "disrespectful" by not following the rules of the Assembly.

He said there was no singer when Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., addressed the Legislature on Wednesday. The speaker said he had the backing in his decision from Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, and assistant GOP leader Garn Mabey, R-Las Vegas.

Hettrick could not be reached for comment but Mabey said he thought the decision was fair that everybody be treated the same. "But I'm not the one who makes the rules," he said.

Gibbons and Perkins are expected to be candidates for governor in 2006. Perkins has said he plans to run. Gibbons formed an exploratory committee and is seen as the front-runner for the Republican nomination.

Perkins did show extra courtesy to Gibbons. There were about 12 anti-Gibbons protesters in front of the legislative buildings. The protest was organized by the state Democratic Party.

Perkins had the protesters move from the sidewalk abutting the legislative buildings to the sidewalk across the street.

Gibbons said after the speech that he had been allowed at his prior four appearances before the Legislature to bring a singer and a high school ROTC color guard to present the colors.

"I'm saddened for her," Gibbons said. He added the girl has the impression she was not allowed to sing in front of the Legislature.

But Perkins said, "This isn't the 'State of the State' " that is given by the governor and has singing and a color guard.

The incident was touched off by a press release from Earlene Forsythe, chairwoman of the Nevada State Republican Party.

"It's too bad that our speaker of the house wants to be 'Petty Perkins' at the expense of a 12-year-old girl," she said.

Perkins said the GOP is misleading the public. He said it is not the standard for federal elected officials to invite guests to sing in the chamber.

He said the girl sang at the opening of the 2003 Legislature, according to the Republican Party.

Gibbons said he did not know what the 12 sign-carrying protesters were complaining about.

archive