Cathleen Allison / AP
Former state Sen. Bill Raggio, shown here during the 2009 Legislature, died Thursday at age 85 after falling ill while on a trip in Australia with his wife, Dale.
Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 | 1:07 p.m.
Former state Sen. Bill Raggio, the longest-serving state senator in Nevada history, died Thursday of a respiratory illness while traveling in Australia. He was 85. Raggio, first elected to the state Senate in 1972, served 38 years in the Senate, retiring before the 2011 Legislature.
With news of Raggio's death, statements came pouring in from prominent Nevadans offering their condolences and remembrances. Here is what they said:
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Gov. Brian Sandoval
"With the death of Senator Bill Raggio, one of the great lights in the world of Nevada politics has gone out. Senator Raggio's career exemplified the very best of public service. His dedication to law and order, higher education, and the fiscal health of this great state spanned literally decades of Nevada history and touched the lives of tens of thousands of Nevadans. Kathleen and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the Raggio family in their time of mourning. I have said before that if there was a Mount Rushmore of Nevada politics, Bill Raggio's image would forever be carved there. The Nevada family has lost a great patriarch; may God rest his soul as we remember all that he meant to our state."
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Nevada Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford
"I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Senator Bill Raggio, one of Nevada's most respected public servants. Last year, I was honored to induct Senator Raggio into the Senate Hall of Fame for his unwavering commitment to our state. From his service as a District Attorney to becoming one of the longest serving legislators in Nevada history, Senator Raggio always put the people of Nevada first. My heart and prayers go out to his wife Dale, his daughters and the entire Raggio family. Nevada has truly lost one of it’s finest statesmen."
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Nevada Assembly Speaker John Oceguera
"It was an honor and privilege to serve with Bill Raggio in the Nevada State Legislature. No one has ever loved this state more or had a more passionate desire to make things better for the people who live here. His ability to bring people together to get things done was legendary. Those of us fortunate enough to have served with him learned so much about putting aside our differences to accomplish real, tangible goals for our constituents and our state. At times, he may have been an adversary on a particular issue, but he was always a true leader, a teacher and a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
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Former U.S. Sen. Paul Laxalt
“It was with great sadness that I learned earlier today of the passing of my long-time friend and Nevada legend, Bill Raggio. Clearly, he was one of the state’s greatest and most accomplished public servants. He was also a helluva good guy who possessed a wonderful sense of humor.
“I first met Bill in the 1950s when he was a crusading district attorney in Washoe County. In that capacity, he was often associated with burning down Joe Conforte’s brothel. But that does not do justice to his achievements in that office. In fact, he had an exceptional legal mind and was a knowledgeable, courageous and fair-minded DA who helped root out organized crime in Northern Nevada.
“Throughout the years, I worked with Bill and others in building the Republican Party in Nevada – even back to the days when the GOP was in the political wilderness. When I was in Reno in those early days, I would often stop by the Mapes Hotel and, inevitably, there would be Bill Raggio “holding court” with his trusted group of advisors. They were a wealth of helpful information and advice. Indeed, Bill was among those who helped build the Republican Party from the ground up.
“His accomplishments in the Nevada State Senate are well documented and perhaps unequaled. Like other legislative giants, Bill understood the legislative process inside and out. He was both substantive and a skillful inside politician.
“Throughout my political career, I adhered to a policy of not allowing political differences to transform into personal differences. That was the essence of Bill Raggio. Sadly, that quality is sorely missing in today’s toxic political environment.
“I recall a day during Bill’s campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1970 when we were together for a parade in Winnemucca. I noticed that he was wearing some fancy, city-slicker shoes. I immediately offered to loan him a pair of my beloved cowboy boots so he would be more presentable to those fine folks. After the parade, I lost track of Bill. I never did get those damn boots back!
“Bill Raggio possessed many admirable traits – and he possessed them in rare abundance. But when I reflect on his public and private life, I simply conclude that he was a gifted human being who cared deeply about others and a man who loved his state and nation with a deep passion. I will miss him dearly. Carol joins me in sending our deep sympathy to Dale and the rest of the Raggio family.”
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U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley
"I was deeply saddened to learn of Bill Raggio’s passing. He was nothing short of a giant in Nevada politics and a fierce advocate for the state he loved, especially the north. His dedicated public service has improved the lives of thousands of Nevada families and his tireless work on higher education has left a permanent mark on this state. My thoughts are with his wife, Dale, and the rest of his family during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed."
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Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto
"The passing of Bill Raggio is a tragic loss for Nevadans. Bill was a great statesman whose political career began when he was elected as the Washoe County district attorney. He was a stellar prosecutor who valiantly protected the citizens of Northern Nevada. For those of us in the law enforcement community, we fondly recall and continue to tell stories about Bill standing up to perpetrators to ensure a safe community. Bill will always be remembered for his impassioned service and dedication to the law enforcement community. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
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Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy Saitta
"Sen. Raggio was always a friend to the Judiciary and often our champion. He clearly understood that a strong Nevada requires a strong and independent Judicial Branch of government. He was not shy about standing for his beliefs and ensuring that government in Nevada was as effective and efficient as it could be.
The Supreme Court could always call on Sen. Raggio to serve on one of our commissions or committees and provide a steady, knowledgeable, and powerful voice. Nevada has lost a great leader and a great Nevadan.
Sen. Raggio was an icon, a consummate statesman and one of the most knowledgeable and pragmatic legislators ever to serve the people of Nevada. His absence from the Legislature with his retirement was keenly felt. His passing on Thursday ends a chapter in Nevada history.
The Supreme Court is saddened by his passing and the justices send their heartfelt condolences to his family."
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Nevada Republican Party Chairman James Smack
“Today Nevada Republicans across the state mourn the loss of a great leader and the loss of an even greater friend. While it is a sad day for all Nevadans, it is only appropriate to remember the legacy and leadership he left behind for us to follow. A loss of a true icon in Nevada politics will not be forgotten. Bill Raggio holds the title of the longest serving legislator in Nevada’s history and Senator Raggio served the State of Nevada with honor and devotion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Raggio family, and we offer our condolences in this time of loss. We will miss you.”
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UNR President Marc Johnson
"Sen. William Raggio lived a life of strong ideas and even greater ideals, which are etched everywhere on the state’s landscape, most notably in higher education. He championed this University and all of higher education in the state of Nevada with a seriousness of purpose and sense of great passion that marked so much of his extraordinary life. He leaves behind the richest of all legacies: At every turn, his life’s work improved the lives of all Nevadans. Our University will dearly miss Sen. Bill Raggio, who was a distinguished graduate of our institution, and a valued and trusted friend. On behalf of the entire University, Karen and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to Sen. Raggio’s loving wife, Dale, his daughters Leslie and Tracy, and all of the Raggio family."
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Andy Matthews, president Nevada Policy Research Institute
"Nevadans awoke to the news this morning that Bill Raggio, one of the truly great icons of Silver State politics, has died at the age of 85. Mr. Raggio served 38 years in the Nevada Senate, and it's difficult to spend that much time in public office without leaving a significant mark. Yet even among long-tenured public servants, his legacy stands out.
There are many, many people in this state who have worked alongside Mr. Raggio and who knew him much better than I did, and so I will leave it to them to offer their reflections on his life and his career. But it's impossible for anyone involved in state politics or public policy not to feel the magnitude of this loss, and to appreciate what he meant to this state. Those who have followed NPRI's work over the years know that we have both agreed and disagreed with Mr. Raggio's views on various policy issues. But there was never any doubt as to his love for Nevada and his commitment to making it a better place to live. For that, he will always have our respect and our admiration. May he rest in peace, and may his loved ones find strength and comfort today and in the difficult days to come."
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