Las Vegas Sun

February 12, 2012

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Sun editorial:

Southern Nevada benefits from Shelley Berkley’s independent voice in Congress

Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

Residents of Southern Nevada’s 1st Congression-

al District have been fortunate to have Democrat Shelley Berkley as their representative. Since she was first elected in 1998, Berkley has developed into a dependable, moderate legislator who has earned the respect of her peers. That respect has translated into a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

One of her strengths is that she knows how to balance her legislative work in Congress with the needs of constituents. Importantly, she is in touch with the people she represents.

Berkley has been one of the strongest voices in Nevada against the federal proposal to ship the nation’s high-level nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Equally impressive has been her advocacy of greater development of wind, solar and geothermal power, which will help pave the way for Nevada to become a leader in renewable energy. She has also fought for increased benefits for veterans, Medicare recipients and the unemployed.

Although she has broken ranks with fellow Democrats who have called for timetables to withdraw American troops from Iraq, an example of an independence we have always admired, Berkley has been right to criticize the Bush administration for its failure to better define U.S. goals in that war-torn nation.

In our opinion, Nevadans have been very well served by Berkley as their representative and their independent voice in Congress. The Sun endorses Shelley Berkley.

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