April 4, 2013

CARSON CITY — U.S. Rep. Dina Titus told state legislators Thursday evening that Nevada has to “go big, or go home” in an upbeat 19-minute speech.

“This country can become greater than ever in the next decade,” said Titus in a speech politely received by legislators. “Let’s not blow this opportunity. Let’s invest in our people. They are our greatest resources.”

Titus, D-Nev., called for funding for Head Start programs for children in poverty and Pell grant programs for college students who need financial aid.

She added the government needs to help students with loans, pass the Dream Act, feed hungry children and modify visa programs to more easily attract visitors.

Each legislative session, every member of Nevada’s congressional delegation makes a speech to a joint legislative session. All six are former state legislators.

Titus served 20 years in the state Senate, most of the time as the Democratic minority leader.

“I cut my political teeth in this building,” she said.

Titus spoke of how the Nevada economy was in shambles when she last addressed the Legislature in 2009.

But Thursday she spoke of how new, family-owned business are cropping up everywhere and downtown Las Vegas is a “hip place.”

“We have got entrepreneurial spirit back,” said Titus to applause.

Hers was the last of the six speeches given by members of Congress to the Legislature. And like several others, she mentioned that Congress must do more to help veterans.

Titus said it now takes a Nevada veteran 485 days just to get a meeting with the Veterans Administration on a benefits application.

“That is just not acceptable,” she said. “Neither should any veterans be homeless or in need of a job.”