You wouldn't know it because the newspapers haven't covered his passing, but a venerable, respected lawmaker died last week.
Jack Jeffrey, a stalwart of the labor movement and a former Assembly majority leader, died on Friday after a fight with cancer. Jeffrey was one of those rare partisans who was liked and respected by nearly everyone, no matter their party or special interest.
His voice, made more gravelly by all those cigarettes, was as distinctive as any to ever resound in the chamber. His preternaturally calm demeanor soothed many a lawmaker and lobbyist, helped reach compromises on countless issues.
To get a sense of the man, I have attached an oral history the wonderful Nevada historian Dana Bennett conducted with Jeffrey six years ago. It reveals a lot of the man.
Jack Jeffrey, a stalwart of the labor movement and a former Assembly majority leader, died on Friday after a fight with cancer. Jeffrey was one of those rare partisans who was liked and respected by nearly everyone, no matter their party or special interest.
His voice, made more gravelly by all those cigarettes, was as distinctive as any to ever resound in the chamber. His preternaturally calm demeanor soothed many a lawmaker and lobbyist, helped reach compromises on countless issues.
To get a sense of the man, I have attached an oral history the wonderful Nevada historian Dana Bennett conducted with Jeffrey six years ago. It reveals a lot of the man.
R.I.P. Jack.
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