FILE NUMBER........

Whereas, Claude "Blackie" Evans was born in Joplin, Missouri, on

November 11, 1935, to Homer and Gertrude Evans, and was the oldest of

three children; and

Whereas, On September 7, 1953, Blackie Evans married his childhood

sweetheart, Carolyn, and later that same year the Evans family moved to

Nevada where Blackie began a long and distinguished career in the labor

movement, beginning as a laborer and then as a lathe operator at the

Titanium Metal Corporation in Henderson, Nevada; and

Whereas, After working as a shop steward with the United Steel

Workers of America Local #4856, Blackie Evans was recognized for his

dedication to the labor movement by being elected President of the

Steelworkers Union Local #4856 in 1963, the youngest ever to be elected

to such a responsible position; and

Whereas, Blackie Evans’ interest in labor relations grew as he became

certified in several related fields including Arbitration Preparation by the

United Steelworkers of America in 1971, College of Worker’s

Compensation in 1974, Management for Government Administrators at the

Professional Institute of the American Management Association in 1975,

Mine Safety by the United States Department of Labor in 1975, Media

Relations at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies in 1976 and since

1983 he has been involved in the Degree Program at the George Meany

Center for Labor Studies; and

Whereas, In 1971, Blackie Evans was appointed by Governor Mike

O’Callaghan as Labor Commissioner of the Nevada Industrial Commission,

and during the next 7 years in this position, Blackie administered an

operating budget in excess of $20 million per year with an investment

portfolio exceeding $400 million; and

Whereas, In 1978, Blackie Evans became the Chief Executive Officer

of the State of Nevada AFL-CIO, the state labor organization that consists

of approximately 150 local unions with 120,000 members; and

Whereas, While in that office, Blackie Evans maintained and balanced

an annual operating budget in excess of $500,000, served as liaison to the

National AFL-CIO, National Labor Relations Board, local unions and

political candidates and officials, administered statewide political action

and education campaigns to endorse and elect political candidates,

proposed legislation and served as a lobbyist in the Nevada Legislature

supporting legislation which would benefit union members; and

Whereas, Blackie Evans has served this state in many ways, including

his membership on the State Mine Safety Advisory Board in 1969, the State

Job Training Board from 1979 to 1982, the Vocation Education Board

from 1980 to 1983, the State Industrial Insurance System Board of

Directors from 1979 to 1993, the Federal Solar Energy Education Board in

1994 and the General Executive Board of the National AFL-CIO from

1996 to 1998; and

Whereas, Claude "Blackie" Evans is recognized as an expert in matters

of labor and management relations, contract negotiations and as a

legislative lobbyist, having spent his entire lifetime combining practical

experience, specialized training and formal education in all related fields of

labor relations; now, therefore, be it

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

Concurring, That Claude "Blackie" Evans is hereby congratulated for his

public service to Nevada and for his loyalty and dedication to the needs of

members of unions within the State of Nevada; and be it further

Resolved, That Blackie Evans has been a leader among leaders and has

contributed a lifetime of energy, skill and knowledge to the legislative

process as he worked diligently to provide the Nevada Legislature with an

understanding of the many concerns of hardworking men and women in

Nevada; and be it further

Resolved, That this Legislature appreciates the exceptional knowledge

of all areas of labor relations and management that Blackie Evans has

contributed to the political exchange of ideas from which state public

policy is formed; and be it further

Resolved, That, on the occasion of Blackie Evans’ retirement as Chief

Executive Officer of the State of Nevada AFL-CIO in July of this year, the

Nevada Legislature wishes Blackie many hours of relaxation and fun with

his wife, his four children, Steve, Cherie, Seanna and Lisa, and his four

grandchildren, Brittany, Cierra, Alex and Geena; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Claude

"Blackie" Evans.

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