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Nevada Senate recognizes Black Student Union and Deaf Day, notes constitutional language change from Question 2
Summary
Senators introduced visiting student groups and advocacy delegations and Senator Titus acknowledged the passage of Question 2 that changed offensive wording in state constitution language.
CARSON CITY, Nev. — During the April 20 floor session, senators recognized visiting student and advocacy groups and marked a recent constitutional change enacted by voters.
Senator Michael Dondero Lup asked members to welcome the Black Student Union Network, saying the group “is honored to attend the senate floor session today to learn all about the legislative process.” The senator noted the organization’s anniversary and its membership across Clark County School District sites and partner schools.
Chandra Dinate of the Nevada Commission of Persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing addressed the chamber on behalf of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, saying, “Deaf Day is a culmination of 2 years of hard work translating the stories and input as we ... receive from the community into legislative priorities.” She urged senators to welcome attendees participating in Deaf Day at the legislature.
Senator Dina Titus acknowledged members of the Jones family and reminded the chamber that voters approved Question 2 in November, a constitutional change that removed the words “insane,” “blind,” and “deaf and dumb” from the state constitution and replaced them with modern, person-first language such as “persons with significant mental illness” and “persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.” “This family reached out to me and were instrumental in getting that bill passed both in those sessions and also then throughout that process of changing our constitution,” Titus said.
Why it matters: Floor recognitions provide public visibility for advocacy and student groups during the legislative session and the constitutional change cited by Titus reflects a voter-approved amendment to the Nevada Constitution that updates language describing certain disabilities.
Background: The chamber’s remarks occurred during the order of business for floor recognitions and introductions of guests. The transcript also records the clerk’s messages and the routine order of business earlier in the session.
