December 3, 2010

 Washington DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced today that he has appointed Representative Dina Titus (D-NV-3) to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

“During her many years of service to the people of Nevada and this country, Dina has been a strong advocate for defending the rights of all Americans,” Reid said.  “I am confident that this important Commission will benefit from Dina’s experience and I know that she will continue serving our state well in this new role.”

“I am honored to accept Senator Reid’s appointment to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and I look forward to this opportunity to continue my efforts to serve our country,” Titus said.  “As a member of the state legislature, I tirelessly fought on behalf of people with disabilities to ensure they were treated fairly and equally.  As a member of this distinguished Commission, I will build on those efforts as an advocate for the equal rights of all Americans.”

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights investigates charges of civil rights violations and reports to Congress and the White House about the state of civil rights in America. The commission may be best known for investigating charges of racial bias that affected voting during the Presidential election and subsequent recount in the year 2000.

The Commission has eight members, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, who serve six year terms.  The President appoints four members, with leaders of the House and Senate appointing the other four.  As Senate Majority Leader, Reid was able to make one appointment.

Dina Titus has been a public servant for more than 20 years.  She was first elected to the Nevada State Senate in 1988 where she served before being elected to the United States Congress in 2008.  She previously served as the Democratic Leader in the Nevada State Senate, and has taught political science at UNLV for more than 30 years.

Titus will fill the seat being vacated by Arlen Melendez, the Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, who was appointed by Senator Reid in 2005.