Legislative Biography -- 73rd (2005) Session

Legislative Service:
Nevada Assembly, 1997-2001; Nevada Senate, 2003-2005—five special and five regular sessions. Assistant Assembly Minority Floor Leader, 1999-2001; Assistant Assembly Minority Whip, 1997. Chair, Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, 2005. Vice Chair: Senate Committees on Human Resources and Education, 2005; Human Resources and Facilities, 2003; Legislative Affairs and Operations, 2003. Member: Senate Committee on Finance, 2003-2005; Assembly Committees on Education, Transportation, and Ways and Means, 1997-2001. Member: Interim Finance Committee, 1997-2004; Committee to Evaluate Higher Education Programs, 2003-2004; Council to Establish Academic Standards for Public Schools, 2004; Legislative Committee on Health Care, 2003-2004; Legislative Committee on Health Care Subcommittee to Study Current Challenges of Ensuring Adequate Health Care is Available to All Nevadans, 2003-2004; Legislative Committee on Health Care Subcommittee to Study Medical and Societal Costs and Impacts of Obesity, 2003-2004; Legislative Committee on Persons with Disabilities, 2003-2004; Committee to Consult with the Director, 1999-2002; Legislative Committee on Education, 1999-2000; Subcommittee to Encourage Businesses and Corporations to Organize and Conduct Business in Nevada, 1999-2000. Governor’s appointment—Governor’s Council on Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities, 2002-2005. State Planning Commission for the Construction, Design, Maintenance, and Repair of School Facilities, 1997-1998. American Legislative Exchange Council, Education Task Force Member, 1997-2004. Member, Council of State Governments (CSG), 1996-present; Health Capacity Task Force, CSG, 2003-2004; CSG-West: Fiscal Affairs Committee, Trade and Transportation Committee and Western Legislative Futures Forum, 2003-2004; Future of Western Legislators Committee, 1999-2002; Strategic Planning Committee, 1999-2000. Education Commission of the States: Co-Chairman, National Forum Committee, 2003-2004; Steering Committee, 2001-2004; Executive Committee, 2001-2002; Vice Chair, Nominating Committee, 2000-2001; By-Laws Committee Member, 1999-2000; Elections Reform Task Force Member, 1999-2000; Vice Chair, 1999-2000; Commissioner, 1997-1998. National Conference of State Legislatures: Co-Chair, Education, Labor, and Job Training Committee, 1997-present; Vice Chair, AFI, Education, Labor, and Workforce Development Committee, 2001-2002; AFI Education, Labor, and Workforce Development Committee, 1999-2000; Elections Reform Task Force, 1999-2000; State Health Policy Leadership Forum Committee, 1999-2000; Education Committee, 1997-1998; Health Committee, 1997-1998; Host Committee Member, 1997-1998.

Affiliations:
Program Chair, Adoption Exchange Advisory Board; Honorary Member, Nevada Public Education Foundation; President, Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and Board Member, R. Guild Gray Elementary School, 1988-1993; Member, Executive Board, former Las Vegas PTA Area Council, 1989-1992; former, Puppeteer, Kids on the Block; President, Parents Active for Vision Education, 1990-present; President, 1993-1994, and Member, 1992-1996, Cashman Middle School Parent Advisory Council; former Chairperson, District F Parent Advisory Committee, five years; Chair, Nevada Education Legislative Grassroots Committee, 1993; State Liaison, Nevada State Parent Coalition, 1993; Active Member, Trinity United Methodist Church of Las Vegas. Clark County School District (CCSD): Member, Year-Round Study Committee, Public Concern Policy Subcommittee, Strategic Planning 2000 Committee, Testing and Evaluation Committee, Special Education Committee; former Chair, Use of Chemicals in Schools Committee; former Co-Chair, Least Restrictive Environment Committee; Parent Mentor (Established Friends of Special Education, Educators Institute), 1995-1996. Former Member, Clark High School Area Neighborhood Improvement Program; Member, Special Education Early Childhood Licensure Task Force, State of Nevada, 1993-1994; Member, Special Education Licensure Task Force, State of Nevada, 1994-1995; Member, Inclusion Task Force, State of Nevada, 1995-1996; Member, Bonanza High School Parent Advisory Council, 1995-2000; Legislative Representative, Bonanza High School, 1996; Vice President, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, 1996; Child Advocate, Nevada Legislature, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995; Junior League of Las Vegas; former Member, Southwest Area Command’s Community Leadership Team; Board Member, Las Vegas Performing Arts, Inc.; former Board Member, CLASS! Publication; State Director, former Secretary/Treasurer, Women in Government, 1997-2004; former Board Member, Frontier Girl Scouts.

Personal and Professional Achievements:
Elected Official of the Year, Asian Chamber of Commerce, 2003; Community Achievement Award for Public Service, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, 2003; Director, Public Relations/Development, WestCare Foundation, 2000-2003; Graduate, CSG’s Henry Toll Fellowship, 2002; Graduate, Leadership Las Vegas, 2002; President, CSG—Western Legislative Academy Leadership Class, 2000-2001; “Crystal Apple” Award, Clark County School District, 1999; SGAC Leadership Institute Graduate, 1997; Franchise Owner, 7-Eleven, 1984-1996; Parent Hall of Fame, CCSD, 1996; Outstanding Service and Dedication Award, WestCare Foundation, 2004.