Senator Harry Reid, United States Senator (D), State of Nevada

In the words of U. S. Senator Harry Reid: My story begins in Searchlight, Nevada, a small desert town, an hour south of Las Vegas. Searchlight is a mining town and my dad was a miner. He taught me the importance of taking pride in your job and doing it well.



I attended a two-room elementary school. Neither of my parents finished high school but they were determined that I would. So after eighth grade I went to high school in Henderson, which was about 45 miles away. I would usually hitchhike to Henderson during the week and stay with local families, then return home on weekends. Several things happened in high school that changed my life.

First I met Mike O’Callaghan. He was a teacher and a great boxer ... in fact, he would have turned professional if he hadn’t lost a leg in the Korean War. He taught me how to box. But more than that, he taught me how to stand up for myself and what I believed.

Thanks to Mike, my confidence began to grow. When I was a junior in high school, I ran for class treasurer and won. This boosted my confidence even more. I often say that it was the most important election of my life.

I also met my future wife, Landra, in high school. She has been my partner and best friend, and my life could not have been the same without her.

I didn’t really know what I would do after high school. A guidance counselor suggested that I should be a lawyer. A group of local businessmen stepped forward and helped me go to college. The lesson is that if you have faith and work hard enough, you can find a way to pursue your dreams.

After college, I went to law school in Washington, D. C. I got a job as a policeman at the U. S. Capitol to support my young family — by this time, Landra and I had two children. Going to law school and working nights was hard. The lessons about hard work that I learned from my father served me well.

When I finished law school I wanted to repay the people in Henderson who had helped me to get an education. So I moved back and became the city attorney of Henderson. Two years later, I was elected to the Nevada State Assembly, and two years after that I won an election for lieutenant governor. My running mate was Governor Mike O’ Callaghan.

By 1982, Landra and I had five children. I decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives, and was fortunate enough to win. I later ran for the Senate, and once again was lucky to have the support and help of many great people. And after the people of Nevada elected me to a fourth Senate term in 2004, my colleagues honored me with a position of trust — Senate Democratic Leader.

I still make my home in Searchlight. When the Senate is in session I work in the United States Capitol, the same building where I once served as a police officer. I always remember that I’m there to help the hardworking people of the world.

I feel blessed by the path my life has taken ... not just because of what I’ve accomplished, but also because of what I’ve learned. From my parents I learned the importance of love and hard work. From Mike O’ Callaghan and my teachers I gained knowledge, confidence and direction. And from all the good people who have helped me, I learned the importance of service to others. I am living proof America is the greatest country in the world, because everybody has a chance to pursue their dreams.

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