[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S90]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DANA BENNETT

 Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I come forward today to 
recognize the career and service of Ms. Dana Bennett, who will soon 
retire as president of the Nevada Mining Association. Ms. Bennett is 
the first woman to lead the Nevada Mining Association, serving as the 
State industry's educational and advocacy leader, as well as its chief 
representative in national and international outreach. As we 
commemorate her retirement, her countless contributions to the great 
State of Nevada are worthy of recognition.
  Ms. Bennett began her career of service to Nevada as a principal 
research analyst with the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau, LCB, where 
she worked with both parties and committee staff in the State senate 
and assembly for over 9 years. One of her more notable achievements 
during her time at the LCB was identifying an error in the 1929 bill 
that established the design of the Nevada State flag. Ms. Bennett's 
sleuthing resulted in a design change to the Nevada State flag, 
ensuring that it fully complied with the law and producing the flag 
that we still proudly fly today.
  In 1998, Ms. Bennett left the LCB to start her own legislative and 
policy research services company. She went on to represent such clients 
as the Nevada Broadcasters Association, the Nevada State Medical 
Association, the Associated General Contractors of Las Vegas, and many 
more. Ms. Bennett successfully ran this company, Research by Design, 
from 1998 to 2004, before being offered the position of director of 
government affairs at R&R Partners--one of Nevada's premiere public 
relations and government affairs firms.
  In 2006, Ms. Bennett left R&R to pursue a graduate degree at Arizona 
State University, ASU. During her time in graduate school, Ms. Bennett 
served as a policy analyst at the Morrison Institute for Public Policy; 
a research assistant at the ASU School of Historical, Philosophical and 
Religious Studies; and a research historian at the Arizona State 
Archives.
  In January 2011, Ms. Bennett returned to Nevada to once again serve, 
this time as senior researcher for Governor Sandoval, eventually 
becoming the Northern Nevada regional director for the Governor's 
Office of Economic Development. As regional director, Ms. Bennett was a 
catalyst in the overhaul and redevelopment of that State agency, where 
she created the new State plan for excellence in economic development 
and worked to improve collaboration between the State and its regional 
development authorities to better facilitate economic growth in Nevada.
  In December 2014, Ms. Bennett was named president of the Nevada 
Mining Association. Through this role, Ms. Bennett has worked 
tirelessly to advocate for the mining industry in Nevada and educate 
people about the importance of mining and its impact on both the State 
and global economies. From her time at LCB, to becoming the first woman 
President of the Nevada Mining Association, Ms. Bennett has been a 
trailblazer for women in Nevada, helping break the glass ceiling in 
industries often dominated by men.
  Through all of Ms. Bennett's incredible work and public service, she 
has gained an intimate understanding of the policy and initiatives that 
aim to improve the lives of all Nevadans. It is my sincere hope that 
Ms. Bennett will continue to be an advocate for the people of Nevada 
and their interests. Today, I celebrate the many contributions of Ms. 
Dana Bennett. Nevadans are fortunate to have had her leadership, 
knowledge, and voice during her service to both the State and the 
country.

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