Dina Titus
Encyclopedia
Alice Costandina "Dina" Titus (born May 23, 1950) is the former U.S. Representative
for , serving from 2009 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party
. She previously served in the Nevada Senate
and was that body's minority leader
from 1993 to 2009.
Prior to her election to Congress, Titus was an active professor of political science
at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
(UNLV). She taught American and Nevada government at UNLV for 30 years.
. She 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. Titus'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.
Dina Titus's high school years included cheerleading and dancing lessons, in addition to her studies. She attended a summer program at The College of William & Mary and was admitted full time for the fall - without a high school diploma. There, she studied political science.
After earning her bachelor's degree from William and Mary, Titus went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Georgia
and a Ph.D. from Florida State University
.
(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.
Titus 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.
Titus is considered by friends and close acquaintances to be an expert in Nevada politics, state politics, atomic policy (weapons & waste), legislative process, and women in politics.
. Her major achievements from the 2007 session included:
. 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.
(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." The bill was signed into law in June, 2007.
As a result of her publications, Titus 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.
2008 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.
could not run in 2006 due to term limits. Titus won the Democratic nomination, but lost to Republican
Congressman Jim Gibbons.
Republican incumbent Jon Porter
. Their top candidate was Clark County
prosecutor Robert Daskas, but in April, Daskas dropped out for family reasons. Democrats then quickly recruited Titus, who had won the district in her unsuccessful 2006 run for Governor. Titus defeated Porter in November, 47% to 42%, becoming the first Democrat to represent the District. She was a major beneficiary of the over-all anti-Bush sentiment in the Las Vegas area. Titus was elected Regional Whip in the 111th Congress
by a margin of 2000 votes.
, is giving up the seat to run for the United States Senate
. While the 3rd is considered a swing district, the 1st is far and away the safest Democratic seat in Nevada, and whoever wins the primary will be heavily favored in November.
, Central America
, several South American countries, and Spain
. Wright is a retired professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
. He is the son of the late John S. Wright, a former professor of history at UNLV, for whom a campus building is named.
Titus 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.
On April 13, 2009, Titus was named Outstanding Democrat of the Year by the Paradise Democratic Club of Las Vegas for the second time. President Barack Obama sent her a congratulatory letter.
In December 2010, Senator Harry Reid
appointed her to a six-year term on the United States Commission on Civil Rights
.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving from 2009 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. She previously served in the Nevada Senate
Nevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
and was that body's minority leader
Minority leader
In U.S. politics, the minority leader is the floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative body. Given the two-party nature of the U.S. system, the minority leader is almost inevitably either a Republican or a Democrat, with their counterpart being of the opposite party. The position...
from 1993 to 2009.
Prior to her election to Congress, Titus was an active professor of political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
(UNLV). She taught American and Nevada government at UNLV for 30 years.
Early life and education
Titus was born in Thomasville, GeorgiaThomasville, Georgia
Thomasville is the county seat of Thomas County, Georgia, United States. The city is the second largest in Southwest Georgia after Albany.The city deems itself the City of Roses and holds an annual Rose Festival. The town features plantations open to the public, a historic downtown, a large...
. She grew up in the rural Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
town of Tifton
Tifton, Georgia
Tifton is a city in Tift County, Georgia, United States. The population was 15,060 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Tift County.-Major highways:* Interstate 75* U.S. Highway 41* U.S. Highway 82* U.S...
, 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. Titus'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.
Dina Titus's high school years included cheerleading and dancing lessons, in addition to her studies. She attended a summer program at The College of William & Mary and was admitted full time for the fall - without a high school diploma. There, she studied political science.
After earning her bachelor's degree from William and Mary, Titus went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
and a Ph.D. from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
.
Academic career
After a year teaching at North Texas State University, Titus moved to Nevada and a faculty position in the Political Science Department at the University of Nevada, Las VegasUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
(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.
Titus 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.
Titus is considered by friends and close acquaintances to be an expert in Nevada politics, state politics, atomic policy (weapons & waste), legislative process, and women in politics.
Nevada Senate
First elected in 1988, Titus served for 20 years in the Nevada SenateNevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
. Her major achievements from the 2007 session included:
Access to vaccines
Titus authored a bill that requires health insurance companies to cover the costs of the HPV vaccine, GardasilGardasil
Gardasil , also known as Gardisil or Silgard, is a vaccine for use in the prevention of certain types of human papillomavirus , specifically HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. HPV types 16 and 18 cause an estimated 70% of cervical cancers, and are responsible for most HPV-induced anal, vulvar, vaginal,...
. 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.
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.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 TownsendRandolph Townsend
Randolph Townsend is a Republican member of the Nevada Senate, representing Washoe County District 4 since 1982.-External links:* official government website* profile*Follow the Money - Randolph Townsend** campaign contributions...
(R) and Valerie Wiener
Valerie Wiener
Valerie Wiener is a Democratic member of the Nevada Senate, representing Clark County District 3 since 1996.-External links:* official government website* profile*Follow the Money - Valerie Wiener** campaign contributions...
(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." The bill was signed into law in June, 2007.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Education and Labor
- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary EducationUnited States House Education Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary EducationThe House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education is a standing subcommittee within the United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce...
- Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness
- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
- Committee on Homeland SecurityUnited States House Committee on Homeland SecurityThe U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Its responsibilities include U.S...
- Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection
- Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response
- Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureUnited States House Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureThe U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. John Mica currently chairs the committee.-History:...
- Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous MaterialsUnited States House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous MaterialsThe Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials is a subcommittee within the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee...
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and EnvironmentUnited States House Transportation Subcommittee on Water Resources and EnvironmentThe Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment is a subcommittee within the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The subcommittee has jurisdiction over water conservation, pollution control, infrastructure, and hazardous waste cleanup, the civil works programs of the U.S. Army...
- Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
Nuclear issues
Titus 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, Titus 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.
2008 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.
Political campaigns
2006
Incumbent Governor Kenny GuinnKenny Guinn
Kenneth Carroll "Kenny" Guinn was an American businessman, educator and politician. He was the 27th Governor of Nevada from 1999 to 2007. He was a member of the Republican Party and a former member of the Democratic Party....
could not run in 2006 due to term limits. Titus won the Democratic nomination, but lost to Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Congressman Jim Gibbons.
2008
Democrats were heavily targeting 3rd districtNevada's 3rd congressional district
The 3rd Congressional District of Nevada is a congressional district occupying the suburbs of Las Vegas, including Henderson, parts of North Las Vegas and Summerlin, and much of unincorporated Clark County...
Republican incumbent Jon Porter
Jon Porter
Jonathan Christopher "Jon" Porter , an American politician, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, the first representative elected from the new 3rd Congressional District of Nevada....
. Their top candidate was Clark County
Clark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
prosecutor Robert Daskas, but in April, Daskas dropped out for family reasons. Democrats then quickly recruited Titus, who had won the district in her unsuccessful 2006 run for Governor. Titus defeated Porter in November, 47% to 42%, becoming the first Democrat to represent the District. She was a major beneficiary of the over-all anti-Bush sentiment in the Las Vegas area. Titus was elected Regional Whip in the 111th Congress
111th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of...
2010
Titus was defeated by Republican former State Senator Joe HeckJoe Heck
Joseph John “Joe” Heck is the U.S. Representative for Nevada’s 3rd congressional district and is a member of the Republican Party...
by a margin of 2000 votes.
2012
On October 31, 2011; Titus entered the Democratic primary for , where her home had been drawn in redistricting. The incumbent, fellow Democrat Shelley BerkleyShelley Berkley
Rochelle "Shelley" Berkley is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999, and a candidate for U.S. Senate. She is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education, and legal career:...
, is giving up the seat to run for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. While the 3rd is considered a swing district, the 1st is far and away the safest Democratic seat in Nevada, and whoever wins the primary will be heavily favored in November.
Personal life
Titus has been married to Professor Thomas C. Wright for 30 years. Wright's studies in his field of expertise - Latin American history - have taken the couple on extended journeys to MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, several South American countries, and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Wright is a retired professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
. He is the son of the late John S. Wright, a former professor of history at UNLV, for whom a campus building is named.
Titus 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
National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations...
, and the Nature Conservancy.
On April 13, 2009, Titus was named Outstanding Democrat of the Year by the Paradise Democratic Club of Las Vegas for the second time. President Barack Obama sent her a congratulatory letter.
In December 2010, Senator Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
appointed her to a six-year term on the United States Commission on Civil Rights
United States Commission on Civil Rights
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is historically a bipartisan, independent commission of the U.S. federal government charged with the responsibility for investigating, reporting on, and making recommendations concerning civil rights issues that face the nation.-Commissioners:The Commission is...
.
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, 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-JournalLas Vegas Review-JournalThe Las Vegas Review-Journal is published in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. It is the largest circulating daily newspaper in Nevada, and one of two daily newspapers in Las Vegas . It is the flagship publication of Stephens Media LLC...
, 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
External links
- Dina Titus for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Senator Dina Titus at the Nevada Senate site (2007 session)