Senate honors 'Jake' Jacobsen and 'Snowy' Monroe

The Nevada Senate Thursday named two former members including Minden Republican Lawrence "Jake" Jacobsen to the Senate Hall of Fame.

Jacobsen was joined by Elko Democrat Warren "Snowy" Monroe, who retired from the Senate in 1976 and died April 1, 1987.

Jacobsen retired from the Senate last year after 40 years of legislative service -- the longest anyone has served in state history. That included 16 years in the Assembly and 24 in the Senate.

There are now 28 members in the Hall of Fame, plus three honorary members who were Senate secretaries or sergeants at arms.

Jacobsen was honored by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, as a humble-but-dedicated and effective public servant and as his longtime personal friend.

"Also typical of the guy is he wouldn't ask anyone else to do something he wouldn't do himself," said Raggio.

He pointed out that the Legislative Building is properly named for Jacobsen, whom Raggio said spearheaded the drives to construct it 30 years ago then expand it six years ago.

He also pointed out that Jacobsen is one of the few remaining Pearl Harbor survivors and that he served throughout World War II.

"He served with distinction and, in my belief, is a hero," he said.

Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, who, like Raggio, has served in the Senate for 30 years, told Jacobsen he was "very pleased to stand in support of this honor for you."

He said he appreciated Jacobsen's independence and willingness to stand up for what he believes in, regardless of political pressures. That, Neal said, put them on the same side on a number of issues, including the belief that Nevada should accept the Yucca Mountain nuclear dump and get every dime possible from the federal government for it.

Jacobsen held nearly every leadership position in both houses of the Legislature. He was praised as a champion of veterans' issues, state forestry projects, the Stewart complex and Marlette Lake water system; and of fire control, the development of youth camp, the prison system and its industries and the honor camp system.

Monroe served 24 years in the Legislature -- six in the Assembly and 18 in the Senate -- representing Elko County. He owned and published of the Elko Independent newspaper.

Raggio and Neal, who both served with Monroe, praised his political acumen. Among the pieces of legislation he sponsored were the creation of state historical markers statewide, creation of the POST training program for police, tax support for county museums and historic societies, penalties for child abuse, and creation of the Nevada Administrative Procedures Act.