FILE NUMBER........

Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature note with profound

sorrow the passing of native Nevadan and former Assemblyman Berkeley

L. Bunker on January 21, 1999; and

Whereas, The story of this native Nevadan began on August 12, 1906,

on a farm in the Moapa Valley hamlet of St. Thomas, where Berkeley

Bunker was born one of the 10 children of Martin and Helen Bunker,

pioneers who settled in St. Thomas in 1877; and

Whereas, In the 1920s, the Bunker family relocated to Las Vegas, a

railroad town with a population of just a few thousand whose future excited

Berkeley Bunker as he envisioned the possibilities which he would spend

most of his life helping to make reality; and

Whereas, After graduation from Las Vegas High School and time

spent as a missionary for his church, Berkeley Bunker married his high

school sweetheart, Lucille Whitehead, who was his partner for the next 55

years until her death in 1988; and

Whereas, Berkeley Bunker later married Della Lee, a long-time friend

and native of Panaca; and

Whereas, Berkeley Bunker was elected to the Nevada Assembly in

1936, 1938 and 1940, serving as Speaker of the Assembly during his

second term and also as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee; and

Whereas, Before serving his third term as Assemblyman, Berkeley

Bunker was appointed by Governor E. P. Carville to complete the term of

United States Senator Key Pittman; and

Whereas, In 1944, Berkeley Bunker won the only Nevada seat in the

United States House of Representatives; and

Whereas, After his career in politics, Berkeley Bunker, who did not

believe in retirement, continued as co-owner of Bunker Brothers Mortuary

and then as a bankruptcy trustee; and

Whereas, Berkeley Bunker’s commitment to the community is

evidenced by his membership and service in numerous organizations such

as the Kiwanas Club, Rotary Club, Boy Scouts of America, American Red

Cross and American Cancer Society, as well as being past President of the

Las Vegas YMCA and national President of the Order of the Golden Rule;

and

Whereas, Berkeley Bunker is survived by his beloved wife Della, his

daughters, Loretta Derrick and Ann Harris, his stepson, Dr. James Lee

Richards, his stepdaughter, Sharla Humphrey, his sister, Ann Shipley, as

well as 22 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

Concurring, That the members of the 70th Session of the Nevada

Legislature express their heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to the

family and friends of former Assemblyman Berkeley Bunker; and be it

further

Resolved, That Berkeley Bunker will long be remembered with the

highest regard for his integrity, sense of humor and positive outlook as well

as the rich legacy of his service to the community of Las Vegas and to the

State of Nevada; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

copy of this resolution to Berkeley Bunker’s family.

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