Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 19–Senators Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener

 

March 8, 2001

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Joint Sponsors: Assemblymen  Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams

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Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

 

SUMMARY—Memorializes longtime newspaper columnist, editor and publisher, Jack McCloskey. (BDR R‑779)

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

SENATE Concurrent RESOLUTION—Memorializing longtime newspaper columnist, editor and publisher, Jack McCloskey.

 

1-1    Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature were deeply

1-2  saddened by the passing of longtime editor and publisher of the Mineral

1-3  County Independent News, John R. “Jack” McCloskey on October 13,

1-4  2000; and

1-5    Whereas, John R. “Jack” McCloskey, a native Nevadan, was born in

1-6  the small historic community of Goldfield on September 19, 1911; and

1-7    Whereas, Jack McCloskey was raised in Tonopah and, at the age of 11

1-8  years, launched his career in the newspaper business as a paperboy who

1-9  sold and delivered newspapers; and

1-10    Whereas, Before graduating from high school, Jack gained experience

1-11  as a printer’s devil and worked as a reporter for the Tonopah Times

1-12  Bonanza; and

1-13    Whereas, In the late 1920s, Jack moved to Hawthorne to join the

1-14  editorial staff of the Hawthorne News; and

1-15    Whereas, In partnership with J. W. “Scoop” Connors, Jack McCloskey

1-16  bought a defunct newspaper in 1933, moved the newspaper to Hawthorne,

2-1  renamed it the Mineral County Independent and published its first issue on

2-2  March 1, 1933; and

2-3    Whereas, In 1935, Jack McCloskey and his partner, Scoop Connors,

2-4  bought the Hawthorne News and merged it with the Mineral County

2-5  Independent to become the Mineral County Independent and Hawthorne

2-6  News, which later became known as the Mineral County Independent

2-7  News; and

2-8    Whereas, In November 1943, Jack patriotically took a break from the

2-9  newspaper business to serve in the military during World War II until

2-10  September 1945; and

2-11    Whereas, In 1952, Jack McCloskey had the distinct honor of serving

2-12  as a Senator for the State of Nevada for 1 day when he was appointed to fill

2-13  a vacancy; and

2-14    Whereas, Jack became the sole owner and editor of the Mineral

2-15  County Independent News in 1954 and ran it for the next 40 years until his

2-16  retirement in 1994; and

2-17    Whereas, Following his retirement, Jack continued to spin his wit and

2-18  provide keen insight into this state’s political dramas through his “Jasper”

2-19  column which was published weekly in the Mineral County Independent

2-20  News until shortly before his death; and

2-21    Whereas, Although long active in the Nevada Press Association but

2-22  forever critical of its annual contests, in 1998, Jack McCloskey was one of

2-23  the 33 inaugural inductees into the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame

2-24  sponsored by the Association; and

2-25    Whereas, In recognition of his many years of service to the newspaper

2-26  business, the residents of the State of Nevada and his community, Jack

2-27  received the Silver Makeup Rule Award, which originated in the 1920s and

2-28  is considered to be the Nevada Press Association’s highest honor; and

2-29    Whereas, Jack McCloskey, who was known by many to be the dean of

2-30  Nevada social, political and economic history, made invaluable

2-31  contributions to the oral history program at the University of Nevada,

2-32  Reno, and served as a unique bridge between Nevada’s early and late 20th

2-33  century history; and

2-34    Whereas, All those who were acquainted with Jack considered him to

2-35  be a dynamic and gifted editor, one who believed that the good of the

2-36  community came first and one who could take difficult-to-understand

2-37  issues and write them in a folksy way that made them clear not only to

2-38  those who would agree with his viewpoint but also to those who were

2-39  ignorant to the needs of this state’s small counties; and

2-40    Whereas, Former Governor of Nevada Mike O’Callaghan, who is now

2-41  chairman of the Las Vegas Sun, noted that Jack “set an example for several

2-42  generations of Silver State residents” through “his honest and fearless

2-43  approach to life and all of its problems” and that Jack was regarded by

2-44  many as a true hero; and

2-45    Whereas, Jack McCloskey is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years,

2-46  Pauline, two daughters, Joanie Gazaway of Hawthorne and Jean Abel of

2-47  Carson City, and two grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

2-48    Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

2-49  Concurring, That the members of the 71st session of the Nevada

3-1  Legislature express their heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to the

3-2  family and friends of longtime newspaper columnist, editor and publisher,

3-3  Jack McCloskey; and be it further

3-4    Resolved, That Jack McCloskey, whose newspaper career spanned

3-5  almost eight decades, will long be remembered as a “newspaperman” who

3-6  had it all, including keen political savvy, a sense of humor and a

3-7  willingness to share his personal gifts with all who knew him; and be it

3-8  further

3-9    Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy

3-10  of this resolution to Jack McCloskey’s beloved wife, Pauline.

 

3-11  H