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

325 Pages·2014·2.094 MB·English
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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

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