Senator Bill Raggio: In Memorium

On behalf of Senate staff past and present, I would like to add my voice to the chorus of recognition honoring Senator Bill Raggio for his lifetime of public service.  Senator Raggio passed away today at the age of 85.  With 38 years of service, Senator Raggio will likely forever hold the distinction as the longest-serving Senator in the history of the Nevada Legislature.  But the story of Bill Raggio is about much more than longevity.  It’s about the respect and admiration that he earned, with colleagues and staff alike.

Mike Archer last year wrote “A Man of His Word: The Life & Times of Nevada’s Senator Bill Raggio,” the definitive and authorized biography.  Mike served as a Senior Finance Committee Proofreader in the 2011 Session.  He has worked for the Senate for nearly ten years.  Last year, Senator Raggio did a book signing in the Legislative Building, upon publication of that book.  The line that formed for that book signing told you all you needed to know about the respect and admiration Senator Raggio earned – and just how widespread that sentiment was.  I saw Senate, Assembly and Legislative Counsel Bureau staff in that line.  I saw lobbyists – committed conservative Republicans and committed liberal Democrats alike – in that line.  I even remember a few current members of the Assembly and Senate were good naturedly standing in line, as a sort of simple tribute and show of respect.  We are very fortunate that we had the opportunity in 2011 to honor Senator Raggio while he was still with us and in relatively good health.

Sherry Rodriguez serves as Assistant Secretary of the Senate.  In that capacity, she is responsible for coordinating closely with the Majority Leader on bill referrals and parliamentary matters.  This morning she said, “Senator Raggio has touched so many lives not just here inside the Legislature but throughout the entire State of Nevada. His presence will forever be felt inside the Senate Chamber as we remember him and his eloquent way of speaking. Anyone who knew him could feel his love and passion he held for the great State of Nevada.  During his career Senator Raggio dealt with many tribulations and triumphs but he always stood steadfast for what he felt was best and what he felt was right for the people of Nevada, putting aside the influence or threats of others. Most of all he leaves behind a legacy of what a true Statesman is and should be.  Senator Raggio will truly be missed by all and especially those of us who were fortunate to work closely with him inside the Senate Chamber."

I think Sherry’s words speak for many on the Senate staff.  Let me let you in on a secret: even though the Senate staff is sworn to be nonpartisan, we still have our favorites.  Many Senators serve their terms with good humor, dignity, and a sense of decorum.  Some, like Senator Raggio, exceed even this standard and bring esteem to the institution with their dedication and selfless devotion to the process.  Senator Raggio loved the Senate like few others.  His hard work reflected tremendously on the institution.

The story of Senator Raggio is about much more than longevity, but longevity is an important aspect of the story.  To serve for 38 years in the Senate is quite an accomplishment; to serve as Senate Majority Leader for 10 regular sessions and 9 special sessions – setting records that will likely never be surpassed – is literally unprecedented and shows the kind of political acumen that became a Raggio hallmark.  Jan Thomas, who served as Secretary of the Senate from 1981-2000, said today that, “Senator Bill Raggio was indeed a gifted man who deeply cared about the people whom he served and all of humanity in general,” while Claire Clift, who served as Secretary of the Senate from 2001-2010, said, “he had a keen wisdom and insight into the integral elements of governance that made the Senate an outstanding example of what a bipartisan, deliberative body could yield when working together.”  My two predecessors worked with Senator Raggio for nearly thirty years altogether.  More than most, they had the measure of the man.  The admiration of both women speaks volumes to the quality of this Senate icon.

Throughout his illustrious Senate career, Senator Raggio was beloved by his Finance Committee staff (a committee he chaired for 18 years) and by his personal staff.  Particularly, the Senate staffs’ condolences go out to Dale Raggio, who for many years served as his Executive Assistant and worked closely with staff of the Nevada Senate.  We will miss Senator Raggio, but the Nevada Senate – an institution that Senator Raggio loved – has been molded by his wit and wisdom forevermore.

Journal Checking - How the Secretary of the Senate May Be Suffering From Stockholm Syndrome

Nevada has a biennial legislature, meaning that we are only officially in session every two years.  Specifically, in Nevada, we are obligated by the Nevada Constitution to convene on the first Monday of February in odd numbered years, and to adjourn 120 days later.  (And, thanks to the Nevada Supreme Court, we do get to go to 1AM on the 121st day... to make up for the hour we lose to Daylight Saving Time!)  Today is the first Monday in February in an even-numbered year, meaning that we are now at the midpoint between the beginning of the 76th Legislative Session (2011) and the beginning of the 77th Legislative Session (2013).

Just because the session is biennial does not mean that our work is done when Day 120 is complete.  Indeed, in many senses, our work has just begun.  The process of documenting what has happened during the session begins during the session but continues well beyond.  The Senate Front Desk, under the experienced direction of Assistant Secretary of the Senate Sherry Rodriguez, does an extraordinary job during the session ensuring that legislation is accurately tracked, that agendas are complete and accurate, and that each day's Journal is complete.  Most observers do not realize that the Front Desk (and, specifically, the Journal Clerk) is responsible to produce a complete draft of the Journal each day before leaving the Legislative Building.  This is not so much of a challenge on days with brief floor sessions... but late in the session, as the Senate floor session stretch past midnight, the Front Desk can be hard at work on the Journal at 3AM and beyond.

This week, we completed the second proof of the Senate Journal, marking the midpoint of the editing process.  Altogether, we'll do four proofs of the 6,000 page Journal, alternatively focusing on substance, grammar, process, and style.   We will ensure that the Journal adheres to Senate tradition.  We will pore over Senators' speeches, to assure that their words are accurately transcribed.  And we will retrace the path of every piece of legislation taken up by the Senate, ensuring that every piece of legislation is accounted for during every step of the legislative process.

Every time I review the Journal I am reminded of the evident care, conviction, and thoughtfulness of Nevada's 21 Senators.  From our most grizzled veterans to our wet-behind-the-ears "rookies," from the most conservative Republican to the most liberal Democrat... Nevada’s Senators repeatedly demonstrate their commitment, dedication, and unflagging stamina.  The Legislative Session is a marathon, but the Senate Journal breaks that marathon into the day-by-day story of Nevadans from many different walks of life, all coming together to do the work of the people.  

Perhaps I am a victim of "Stockholm Syndrome," the oft-discussed phenomenon where a kidnap victim falls in love with his captors (in my case, those who elect him).  Whether or not I could be plausibly diagnosed with Stockholm Syndrome, I do believe that most people would be pleasantly surprised that their elected officials, to whom so little is paid and so much is expected, by and large perform admirably during their time in Carson City.

It's not all rainbows and roses, of course.  I’m sure our Senators would agree that partisan rancor can be difficult and that the process is far from perfect.  But in an age where it has become de rigueur to believe that politics is broken, taking a good read (or four good reads!) through the Journal reassures at least this Nevadan that our citizen legislature is putting forth the effort and determination needed to address Nevada's substantial challenges.  This realization gives me and my team the stamina we need to read this hefty 6,000 page book four times, ultimately producing a quality Journal that adequately and accurately reflects the hard work these Senators have performed.