Familiar themes in first Hill speech

By Lisa Mascaro

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Dina Titus

Democratic Rep. Dina Titus strode to the House floor Tuesday afternoon to deliver her first speech to Congress — a public debut for Nevada’s newest voice on the Hill and a reminder of how far a freshman lawmaker has to go to gain power in this town.

For her on-camera debut Titus delivered a measured speech that wove her hopes for a bipartisan economic recovery package with a shout out to her constituents in suburban Las Vegas.

“We face an economic crisis that has shaken our very roots,” Titus said on the floor. “In my district we have seen rampant foreclosures, record unemployment and rising prices.

“Next week, the band from Green Valley High School in my district will be in Washington marching in the inaugural parade to welcome our next president with hope and dreams for a brighter future,” she continued. “It is for them and all Americans that this president and Congress must usher in a new era.”

New lawmakers have few opportunities to stand out from the 434 other members of Congress. Seniority counts in the House, and newcomers must make a name for themselves any chance they can, behind the scenes or out in front. Titus is working the back channels in her efforts to organize fellow freshmen lawmakers.

Some House freshmen strive to make stronger first impressions than others.

Upon taking office in 1999, Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley went to the floor promising to stand with other Americans “in court or on the roads or rails, if necessary” to stop Yucca Mountain.

In 2007, Republican Rep. Dean Heller ended his first speech on Iraq by quoting a former lawmaker’s warning: “The choice before us today is clear: either America or al-Qaida.’’

Former Republican Rep. Jon Porter, the congressman Titus replaced, used an early 2003 speech to memorialize the commander and crew after the space shuttle Columbia tragedy.

More than a decade ago, then-Rep. Jim Gibbons, now the state’s Republican governor, stood on the floor as a new congressman to support term limits. He went on to serve for

10 years.

Freshmen, they have to start somewhere.