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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E771-E772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING BOB COFFIN
______
HON. DINA TITUS
of nevada
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Las Vegas Councilman
Bob Coffin on the occasion of his retirement from political life.
Councilman Bob Coffin was elected to represent Las Vegas Ward 3 on
Tuesday, June 7, 2011, and was sworn into office on Wednesday, July 6,
2011. Councilman Coffin has deep roots in downtown Las Vegas, having
been a resident in and around Ward 3 for more than 60 years and now
lives less than a mile from his boyhood home.
[[Page E772]]
Councilman Coffin's commitment to Southern Nevada can be seen through
his decades of public service. He was first elected in 1982 to the
Nevada Assembly, where he served for two terms. He continued his public
service in the Nevada State Senate, where he served until 2011. During
that period, he served on many influential committees as a ranking
member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee as well as chairman of
the Taxation Committee. On these committees he fought to balance
budgets and cut unnecessary government spending. Fiscal responsibility
continued to be a priority as he served Ward 3 along with ensuring
public safety, cleaning up older neighborhoods, and attracting new
development.
During his childhood in Las Vegas, Councilman Coffin developed a
passion for two things--his Mexican-American heritage and the sport of
golf. His ancestral family emigrated to Southern California from
Mexico, and he saw firsthand the discrimination his mother faced as a
young woman. Accordingly, the Councilman has spent much of his career
fighting this injustice. He has traveled to Central America to monitor
elections and to help children and families. He has also been a
longtime active member in the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
Bob remained in Southern Nevada as a young man attending Bishop
Gorman High School and the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he
earned an accounting degree. He went on to serve his country in the
United States Army and later ran a successful insurance business. While
concentrating on his studies at UNLV, Bob continued to focus on his
favorite pastime, golf, and was named the Nevada Amateur Golf Champion
at the age of 27.
Councilman Coffin has been recognized for his community service,
receiving dozens of awards during his career. Most recently, he was
named Person of the Year by the Southern Nevada Chapter of the
Professional Golfers Association and received the Charles Dick Medal of
Honor Award from the United States National Guard. He has twice been
honored by the Latin Chamber of Commerce with its Hispanic Citizen
Award and Public Service Award.
He continues his commitment to the public by serving on a number of
boards and commissions, including the Board of the Las Vegas Golf Hall
of Fame, Chief Local Elected Officials Consortium, Commission for the
Las Vegas Centennial, Debt Management Commission, Southern Nevada
Regional Planning Coalition, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
Bob is also a dear friend who paid my very first filing fee when I
ran for the Nevada Senate in 1988. I have looked to him over the years
for advice, support, and encouragement. I am also close to his lovely
wife, Mary Hausch and look forward to spending quality time with them
in their retirement. Bob has left an incredible legacy and all Nevadans
owe him a great debt of gratitude.
____________________