Jim Bilbray served Nevada as member of the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada, chief legal counsel in the Clark County Juvenile Court, Nevada State Senator, member of the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and is currently on the Board of Governors of the US Postal Service through 2015. Jim was born in Las Vegas on May 19, 1938. Among his most memorable accomplishments is his work for the environment. As a young boy growing up in Las Vegas, he loved the climate. His backyard at the family home on 3rd Street was at the edge of the city so his playground was the desert. These early years led to a lifelong appreciation for the Nevada outdoors. The 1980s and 1990s were historical for Nevada and environmental efforts. The Nevada environmental triumvirate and congressional delegation composed of Jim, Harry Reid and Richard Bryan are widely known for passing significant legislation in this field. They worked closely together, in part, because of their friendship formed while growing up together in Las Vegas. This interview helps put into perspective the pivotal role played by Congressman Bilbray. During his terms as Nevada Senator (1981 - 1987) and US Representative (1987-1995), Jim worked on a number of major public lands issues for Nevada. He helped to defuse the Sagebrush Rebellion, designate additional Forest Service wilderness, protect Red Rock as a National Conservation Area, assign the Spring Mountains as a National Recreation Area, and initiate the legislative effort to establish the Southern Nevada Public Lands Act. Jim currently resides in Las Vegas where an elementary school is named in his honor.
Oral history interview with Leain Vashon conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Vashon discusses joining and eventually getting elected the Vice President of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. He also discusses union benefits, strikes, today's union members, the future of the union movement, why unions are still necessary, family participation, and his 30 year employment as a bellman.
Oral history interview with Hermina Washington conducted by B. Leon Green on March 02, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Washington discusses her career with the State of Nevada, working under different governors, and raising her three sons with her high school sweetheart. Washington also discusses her various residences on the Westside over the years, her role of church growing up, and changes of Las Vegas, Nevada as a city.
Oral history interview with Dr. Edward Goldman conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 22, 2016 and April 04, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Goldman discusses his career as a Clark County School District teacher, negotiator, and regional superintendent over the span of thirty years. He also talks about his activity in the Las Vegas, Nevada Jewish community at Temple Beth Sholom and being a founding member of Midbar Kodesh Temple.
Oral history interview with Gary Delvin conducted by Roberta Threatt on April 08, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Delvin reflects upon his nearly 30-year career as an elementary school teacher and administrator in Oregon from the 1970s to the early 2000s. He discusses his upbringing and path to becoming a teacher, his philosophy of education, and training that he feels was most helpful throughout his career.
Oral history interview with JoAnne K. Schlekewy conducted by Wanda Renfrow on November 26, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Schlekewy reflects upon her nearly 30-year career as an administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District from the 1970s to the 2000s. She describes the process by which she became a counselor and eventually principal, describes her regular responsibilities, and discusses the importance of establishing working relationships with teachers.