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

 

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

 

FILE NUMBER..........

 

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

 

   Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature were deeply

 saddened by the passing of longtime editor and publisher of the Mineral

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

 2000; and

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

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

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

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

 sold and delivered newspapers; and

   Whereas, Before graduating from high school, Jack gained experience

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

 Bonanza; and

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

 editorial staff of the Hawthorne News; and

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

 bought a defunct newspaper in 1933, moved the newspaper to Hawthorne,

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

 March 1, 1933; and

   Whereas, In 1935, Jack McCloskey and his partner, Scoop Connors,

 bought the Hawthorne News and merged it with the Mineral County

 Independent to become the Mineral County Independent and Hawthorne

 News, which later became known as the Mineral County Independent

 News; and

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

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

 September 1945; and

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

 as a Senator for the State of Nevada for 1 day when he was appointed to

 fill a vacancy; and

   Whereas, Jack became the sole owner and editor of the Mineral

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

 retirement in 1994; and

 

 

   Whereas, Following his retirement, Jack continued to spin his wit and

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

 column which was published weekly in the Mineral County Independent

 News until shortly before his death; and

   Whereas, Although long active in the Nevada Press Association but

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

 the 33 inaugural inductees into the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame

 sponsored by the Association; and

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

 business, the residents of the State of Nevada and his community, Jack

 received the Silver Makeup Rule Award, which originated in the 1920s

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

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

 Nevada social, political and economic history, made invaluable

 contributions to the oral history program at the University of Nevada,

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

 century history; and

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

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

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

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

 those who would agree with his viewpoint but also to those who were

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

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

 chairman of the Las Vegas Sun, noted that Jack “set an example for

 several generations of Silver State residents” through “his honest and

 fearless approach to life and all of its problems” and that Jack was

 regarded by many as a true hero; and

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

 Pauline, two daughters, Joanie Gazaway of Hawthorne and Jean Abel of

 Carson City, and two grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

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

 Concurring, That the members of the 71st session of the Nevada

 Legislature express their heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to the

 family and friends of longtime newspaper columnist, editor and publisher,

 Jack McCloskey; and be it further

   Resolved, That Jack McCloskey, whose newspaper career spanned

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

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

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

 further

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

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

 

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