Governor Jim Gibbons
Discusses Nevada’s Financial Condition
Past, Present and Future
To the North Valleys Republican Women's Club
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Jim Gibbons was born and raised in Sparks, Nevada. He attended Nevada public schools and universities.
Jim earned his Bachelor of Science in geology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Master's Degree in Mining/Geology from the University of Nevada Mackay School of Mines. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the Southwestern University School of Law, and completed post-graduate work at the University of Southern California.
In 1989, Jim was named "Outstanding Freshman Legislator" for his service in the Nevada Assembly. He served three terms in the Assembly, eventually rising through the ranks to Republican Whip.
Jim was first elected to represent the Second Congressional District of Nevada in the United States House of Representatives in 1996. After being elected to his fifth term in November, 2004, he decided to run for Governor. He won election in 2006, and is finishing his first term as your Governor.
Jim has twice used the initiative petition process to restrict government. In 1994 he co-authored the Gibbons Tax Restraint Initiative, which requires a 2/3 super-majority to increase any state tax or implement new taxes. In 2004 he co-authored the Education First Initiative, preventing the Legislature from holding education hostage during budget negotiations.
A strong supporter of veterans and our nation's armed services, Jim is a former combat pilot and decorated veteran of both the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. He served in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971 and graduated from the USAF Air Command and Staff College, as well as the Air War College.
Jim joined the Air Guard in 1975, attaining the rank of Colonel, and served as the group's Vice Commander from 1990 through 1996. Throughout his military service, he received 19 service medals, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster. Jim was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his extraordinary achievement while participating as an RF-4C Flight Leader in the Persian Gulf War.
Jim's military experience makes him a knowledgeable and effective advocate for Nevada's premier military training bases, NAS Fallon in Churchill County and Nellis AFB just outside Las Vegas in Clark County.
Jim's experience in the private sector includes commercial airline pilot, hydrologist for the Federal Water Master, mining and exploration geologist, and mining and water rights attorney.
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