Dina Titus

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Dina Titus
Dina Titus
Member of the Nevada State Senate
from the Clark 7th district
In office
1989 - present
Born May 23, 1950 (1950-05-23) (age 58)
Thomasville, Georgia
Political party Democratic
Spouse Thomas Clayton Wright, Ph.D.
Profession professor of political science


Alice Constadina "Dina" Titus is a Democratic member of the Nevada Senate, representing Clark County District 7 (map) since 1988. She has been the Minority Leader since 1993.

When the state Legislature is not in session, Titus is a political science professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has taught American and Nevada government at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for 30 years. Before her recent congressional run, She was considered likely to seek a rematch with current Republican governor Jim Gibbonsin 2010. Gibbons defeated her in the 2006 gubernatorial campaign. [1] Many have credited Titus' Southern drawl to her defeat.

On May 1, 2008, Dina Titus announced that she will challenge Jon Porter for the Third Congressional Seat in Nevada. The announcement was made in the Henderson Events Plaza Amphitheater, just below the Henderson Veterans Memorial, where she reminded her supporters that it was the fifth anniversary of Bush's pronouncement of "mission accomplished" in Iraq.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Youth

Dina grew up in the rural Georgia town of Tifton, which she describes as very similar to areas of rural Nevada, but with cotton and peanuts as key agricultural exports instead of the alfalfa, vegetable, and fruit crops of the Silver State. Dina’s first exposure to politics came at an early age, when her father, Joe Titus, ran for the Tifton City Council. Her uncle, Theo Titus, served in the Georgia House of Representatives for many years.[2]

Dina’s high school years included cheerleading and dancing lessons, in addition to her studies. Dina attended a summer program at the College of William and Mary and was admitted full time for the fall - without a high school diploma. There, Dina studied Political Science. [3]

After earning her Bachelor’s degree from William and Mary, Dina went on to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Georgia and a Doctorate from Florida State University.[4]

[edit] Career

After a year teaching at North Texas State University, Dina moved to Nevada and a faculty position in the Political Science Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Over the past 30 years, her students have included a virtual who’s-who list in Nevada government, public service and legal circles, and the popularity of her classes is reflected in the teaching-related awards she has received.[5]

She is considered an expert in Nevada Politics, State Politics, Atomic Policy (Weapons & Waste), Legislative Process, and Women in Politics. [6]

[edit] Public Service

In 1988, Dina decided to run for elected office.[7]

Dina also created and continues to coordinate the Legislative Internship Program at UNLV, which each session affords the opportunity for a group of students to work at the Legislature.

[edit] Marriage and family

Dina has been married to Professor Thomas C. Wright for 27 years. Wright’s studies in his field of expertise - Latin American history - have taken the couple on extended journeys to Mexico, Central America, several South American countries, and Spain. Tom is a professor of history in the History Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas[8]. Tom Wright is the son of former UNLV historian John S. Wright for whom a building is named at UNLV.[9].

Dina’s family has often volunteered on her political campaigns. [10]

[edit] Awards and honors

Nevada Arts and Humanities Award for Public Service, 2004
Nevada Women’s Lobby, “Outstanding Nevada Women,” 2003
Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center, Legislative Advocate Award, 2003
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), President's Medal, 2002
Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Profiles in Courage Award, 2001
Mediators of Southern Nevada, Peacemaker of the Year, 2001
Las Vegas Review-Journal, Favorite Female Las Vegan, 1997, 1999
Las Vegas Review-Journal, Outstanding Legislator of the Year, 1999
Nevada Arts Advocate of the Year, 1999
Spanos Outstanding Teacher, UNLV, 1985
Chair, Nevada Humanities Committee, 1984-1986

[edit] Legislative successes and advocacy

[edit] 2007 Legislative Session

[edit] Access to vaccines

Dina Titus authored a bill that requires health insurance companies to cover the costs of the HPV Vaccine, Gardasil. Gardasil protects women and girls from 70% of cervical cancers. The bill passed both the Nevada Senate and the Nevada Assembly and was signed by Governor Jim Gibbons.

[edit] Regulation of credit card rates

Titus authored a bill banning "universal default clauses" that have enabled some credit card issuers to boost interest rates by 30 percent or more. The bill passed the Nevada Senate and Assembly, but was vetoed by Jim Gibbons. Credit Card providers Citibank and Chase rolled back or eliminated universal default clauses due to political pressure in the U.S. Congress. [11]

[edit] Measure to care for pets in emergencies

Titus authored the bill that provides for the rescue of pets in a natural disaster emergency. The bill was co-sponsored by Senators Randolph Townsend(R) and Valerie Wiener(D). She told Las Vegas television station Channel 3 KVBC, "We all remember heartbreaking scenes and stories from Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida... When lives are turned upside down by disaster, people seek comfort and normalcy. To exacerbate problems by forcing a disaster victim to leave behind a beloved pet - a member of their family - is both unconscionable and entirely unnecessary. Emergency responders can and should take into account pets and service animals in disaster rescue and recovery plans. Planning could save disaster victims from needless additional pain at a most difficult time."[12] The bill was signed into law in June, 2007.

[edit] Affiliations

Member: Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation; Nevada-California Super Speed Ground Transportation Commission; Clark County Women’s Democratic Club; Nevada Commission on Participatory Democracy; Education Commission of the States.[13]

Dina is also a member of the Tortoise Group of Clark County, Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, PEO International, National League of American Pen Women, Nevada Women's Lobby, Women’s Research Institute of Nevada, Nevada Commission on Participatory Democracy, Clark County Neighborhood Justice Center, Las Vegas Little Theater, the Educational Commission of the States, National Wildlife Federation, and the Nature Conservancy.

[edit] Personal and Professional Achievements

Dina Titus received the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), President’s Medal in 2002. She is the Author of Bombs in the Backyard: Atomic Testing and American Politics, University of Nevada Press, Revised Edition 2001, and Battle Born: Federal-State Relations in Nevada During the Twentieth Century, Kendall-Hunt, 1989. She has also published numerous scholarly articles.

As a result of her publications, Dina is internationally known for her expertise in the history of nuclear power, weaponry and waste and in policies relating to those areas. She appeared in the 2006 PBS documentary "The American Experience: Las Vegas – an Unconventional History" by acclaimed director Steven Ives, where she discussed nuclear issues and Las Vegas history.

Today, the Atomic Testing Museum on the Las Vegas campus of the Desert Research Institute features the Dina Titus Reading Room, in recognition of her scholarly achievement in the field.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dina Titus - Home
  2. ^ Dina Titus - About Dina
  3. ^ Dina Titus - About Dina
  4. ^ Dina Titus - About Dina
  5. ^ Dina Titus - About Dina
  6. ^ Directory
  7. ^ Dina Titus - About Dina
  8. ^ History Department at UNLV
  9. ^ John S. Wright
  10. ^ Dina Titus - About Dina
  11. ^ Bill targeting high credit card rates goes to governor | Nevada Appeal | Serving Carson City, Nevada
  12. ^ Dina Titus introduces measure to care for pets
  13. ^ Senate Member Information

[edit] External links