Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 49

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 49-Senators Raggio, Adler, Augustine, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O'Connell, O'Donnell, Porter, Rawson, Regan, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener

June 12, 1997
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Read and adopted

SUMMARY--Memorializes Tyrus R. Cobb, beloved newspaper journalist, columnist and editor. (BDR R-1776)

EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION--Memorializing Tyrus R. Cobb, beloved newspaper journalist, columnist and editor.

Whereas, With the passing of Tyrus R. "Ty" Cobb on May 25, 1997, a void was left in the world of journalism and in the hearts of many Nevadans who will miss the warmth and humor of his column in the Reno Gazette-Journal; and
Whereas, Ty Cobb, named after the famous baseball player and later dubbed "dean of Nevada newspaper people" by a close friend and fellow newspaper reporter, was born in Virginia City on September 21, 1915; and
Whereas, This "son of the Comstock" was a third-generation Nevadan and chose to make his birthplace his permanent home, even though he received numerous offers to become a part of other news organizations in several states; and
Whereas, Ty Cobb graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1937 and began his career with the coverage of his own commencement exercises for the Reno Nevada State Journal; and
Whereas, His excellence in the field of journalism was rewarded with promotions from reporter to sports editor to assistant managing editor, and ultimately in 1960, to managing editor of the Reno Gazette-Journal; and
Whereas, One of the foremost reasons for Ty Cobb's renown was his column "Cobbwebs," which gave readers a taste of history, sports and humor along with eagerly anticipated coverage of unusual license plates that had been observed on streets of northern Nevada; and
Whereas, Ty Cobb demonstrated his devotion to the world of sports by investing time and effort to help establish the first Babe Ruth League in Nevada, the Sierra Nevada Sportswriters and Broadcasters, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Intercollegiate Boxing Tournament, the California-Nevada Olympic Games Committee and the Nevada Golden Gloves; and
Whereas, Awards such as the first Nevada State Press Association plaque for the best sports column and a National Sportswriters award were among the accolades conferred upon Ty Cobb, and the Alumni Boxing Association of the University of Nevada, Reno, honored him in 1971; and
Whereas, All those who were acquainted with this dedicated journalist respected him because of his devotion to his family, his embodiment of trustworthiness, honesty, leadership and role-modeling, and his active interest in obtaining awards for athletes, especially those of ethnic minorities; and
Whereas, When Ty Cobb retired in 1975 because his vision was failing to such an extent that he was unable to do research or even read his editing marks, he continued to make evident his love for writing by drawing upon his memories to create eloquent compositions; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the members of the 69th session of the Nevada Legislature proclaim their feelings of pride in the legacy of excellence bequeathed to the State of Nevada through the personal life and career of Tyrus R. Cobb; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this legislative body express their sincerest sympathy to the family of Ty Cobb and to all those who feel an emptiness at his loss; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Ty Cobb's sons, Tyrus W. Cobb of San Rafael and William G. Cobb of Reno and his daughter, Patricia Cobb Sawdon of Reno.