Barbara F. Vucanovich: From Nevada to Congress, and Back Again

325 Pages·2014·2.09 MB·English

by  Barbara F. Vucanovich

into the personalities and politics of some NEVADA HISTORY / POLITICS VUCANOVICH Nevadan Barbara Vucanovich

of the most important American political AND CAFFERATA
enjoyed a long, productive, and somewhat
figures of the past half-century. She gives
“I realized early on that you had to be true to your convictions,
unlikely political career. After years as a
us a forceful insider’s chronicle of the
even if it meant you might not win the next election.”  wife, mother, businesswoman, community
“Gingrich Revolution” that brought the
activist, and campaign volunteer, she
Republicans into control of Congress, From Barbara F. Vucanovich
increased her political involvement by
and her account of her efforts on behalf
serving as the northern Nevada manager
of such women’s issues as breast cancer
of Paul Laxalt’s several campaigns. In 982,
research and child care demonstrates that Praise for Barbara F. Vucanovich
encouraged by Laxalt to run in Nevada’s
her activism and dedication extended far B BARBARA F.
beyond Nevada. “Barbara has written a marvelous book. Combined in it, a reader will find the A newly created Second Congressional
political history of Nevada for the last half of the twentieth century, a guidebook District, she became a sixty-one-year-old
Throughout, Vucanovich’s energy, R
for those who may consider being a candidate for political office, and an analysis first-time political candidate. She cam-
common sense, and charm shine through.
of most of the people prominent in Nevada and many active in national and B VUCANOVICH paigned as a “tough grandmother” and be-
Her life reflects extraordinary dedication
international affairs from 950 to 2000, all tied together with the strings of A came the first Nevada woman ever elected
to family, personal ideals, and hard work,
Barbara’s personal life. It is a story of a uniquely qualified and personable lady R to a federal office.
and her compelling, instructive memoir
offers any reader, regardless of political of whom life required much yet to whom life gave much. The book is a A Over the next fourteen years, Congress-
must-read for everyone interested in Nevada and for everyone man (the title she preferred) Vucanovich
persuasion, an exceptionally vivid account
From Nevada
who admires great lives.” F worked tirelessly to advance the interests
of politics in Nevada and Washington
during a notably turbulent era in our RICHARD W. HORTON . to Congress, of her state and the conservative ideals of
V the Republican Party. In this engaging,
nation’s history. and Back Again
“An illuminating life story of Nevada’s first female member of Congress. U richly detailed memoir, she reflects with
Conservative in her politics, and Republican in her party affiliation, Vucanovich C candor and modesty on her political career

pioneered the way for like-minded women seeking social and A and the long road that led to it. Her lively
political empowerment in Nevada.” N  accounts of campaigning and office-holding
offer a rare insider’s view of the day-to-day
GUY LOUIS ROCHA O
realities of a politician’s life—the excitement
V
BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH “A compelling story about one of Nevada’s outstanding political figures.” and exhaustion of hard-fought campaigns;
I
retired from the U.S. House of PETE ERNAUT C the endless cross-country commutes to
Representatives in 996. She lives former chief of staff to Governor Kenny Guinn H maintain contact with constituents; the
in Reno, Nevada, where she remains inner workings of Congress as bills are
“A wonderful book about a wonderful friend.”
active in Republican Party and written, debated, and voted on. Her
community activities. SENATOR BERNICE MATHEWS descriptions of campaigning in Nevada,
with its sparse and largely rural population,
PATRICIA D. CAFFERATA is an tell us more about the true nature of politics
attorney who shares her mother’s love of in the Silver State than any number of
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA PRESS
politics. She has served in the Nevada State academic studies, and her profiles of other
Assembly, as Nevada state treasurer, and politicians—from Reno city leaders to
later as district attorney of Lincoln, Lander, ISBN 0-87417-623-9 BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH Nevada state and national officeholders to
and Esmeralda counties. She lives and her congressional colleagues to presidents
P D. C
practices law in Reno. NEVADA AND ATRICIA AFFERATA of the United States—offer valuable insight
Vucanovich jkt mech 29 July.indd 1 7/29/05 9:55:09 AM
Barbara F. Vucanovich
Barbara F. Vucanovich
BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH
From Nevada to Congress, and Back Again
•
Barbara F. Vucanovich
and Patricia d. Cafferata
UniVersity oF neVada Press
Reno & Las Vegas
University of nevada Press, reno, nevada 89557 usa
Copyright © 2005 by University of nevada Press
all rights reserved
Manufactured in the United states of america
design by Barbara Jellow
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data
Vucanovich, Barbara F., 1921–2013
Barbara F. Vucanovich: from nevada to Congress, and back again / Barbara F. Vucanovich
and Patricia d. Cafferata.
p. cm.
includes index.
isbn-10: 0-87417-623-9 (hardcover : alk. paper) isbn-13: 978-0-87417-623-0
1. Vucanovich, Barbara F., 1921– 2. Legislators—United states—Biography. 3. Women
legislators—United states—Biography. 4. United states. Congress. House—Biography. 5.
nevada—Politics and government—20th century. 6. Politicians—nevada—Biography. 7.
United states—Politics and government—1945–1989. 8. United states—Politics and govern-
ment—1989– 9. republican Party (U.s. : 1854–)—Biography. 10. Politicians—United states—
Biography—Miscellanea. i. Cafferata, Patricia d., 1940– ii. title.
e840.8.v83a3 2005
328.73'092—dc22 2005006543
The paper used in this book meets the requirements of american
national standard for information sciences—Permanence of Paper
for Printed Library Materials, ansi z.48-1984. Binding
materials were selected for strength and durability.
University of nevada Press Paperback edition, 2014
22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 5 4 3 2 1
isbn-13: 978-0-87417-943-9 (pbk.: alk. paper)
Frontispiece: Barbara F. Vucanovich. Photograph by Bret Hofmann.
Collection of Barbara F. Vucanovich
For my grandchildren—elisa, Farrell, reynolds, Mike Jr., trevor,
Jennifer, Casey, Heather, nora, Maggie, Patrick, Katie, scott
and david, and my grandchildren by marriage—robb, d.J.,
and Janaya—and for my great-grandchildren—Brendan, Morgan,
Kenton, taylor, Henry, Grace, Philomena, elizabeth, Patrick, Madelein,
and amelia, my great-grandchildren by marriage—Monica and Kelley,
my great-grandsons by adoption—dean and Quinn—and for any new
children that join my family in the future
•

CONteNts
List of Illustrations ix
Preface xi
Far from the House
Part i
one Grandmothers and Grandfathers—tough and not so tough 3
two a Family of My own 20
three outside the Home 35
four Politics, nevada style 44
five My Mentor 60
A Flamingo in the Barnyard of Politics
Part ii
six a tough Grandmother 75
seven she Is the Congressman 94
eight a day in the Life of a Congressman 107
nine reflection and the temptation of the senate 123
ten elections—Forgettable and not so Memorable 137
eleven a Front-row seat at the revolution 153
Not Your Average Congressman
Part iii
twelve tough irishman 177
thirteen a Woman’s Place in the House 186
fourteen nevada on My Mind 199
fifteen House Mates 216
Back in the Great state of Nebraska
Part iV
sixteen in the other House (The White House) 235
seventeen a World Beyond the House 254
eighteen twenty-seven years and one revolution Later 274
Home Means Nevada
Part V
nineteen Coming Home, Looking Back 285
List of Committee Assignments 297
Index 301
lIst OF IllUstRAtIONs
Barbara F. Vucanovich in high school 7
ynez White Farrell, Barbara F. Vucanovich’s mother 9
Thomas Francis Farrell, Barbara F. Vucanovich’s father 12
Family photograph of Barbara F. Vucanovich with her mother, brothers,
and sister 17
Barbara F. Vucanovich and Ken dillon on their wedding day 24
George and Barbara F. Vucanovich when she was in Congress 27
Family campaign photograph with George and Barbara Vucanovich and
children in 1982 31
Barbara F. Vucanovich, Governor Bob List, and secretary of the interior
James Watt 56
Barbara F. Vucanovich, senator Lawrence “Jake” Jacobsen, and nevada
sailors on the uss Kitty Hawk 58
Barbara F. Vucanovich and senator Paul Laxalt 62
Barbara F. Vucanovich’s Congressional Class of 1982 with President
ronald reagan in the White House 96
Barbara F. Vucanovich at a hearing of a subcommittee of the interior
Committee 98
Barbara F. Vucanovich and Minority Leader Bob Michel 101
George and Barbara F. Vucanovich at First Lady nancy and President
ronald reagan’s White House Christmas Party 105
Family photograph of Barbara and George Vucanovich with children and
grandchildren 108
ix