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Senator
John Ensign has served the people of Nevada from his days
as a veterinarian, small business owner, and U.S. Congressman
to his present role as the 24th U.S. Senator for Nevada.
Senator
Ensign was raised in northern Nevada and moved to southern
Nevada where he graduated from Clark High School. He attended
UNLV and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State
University. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
degree from Colorado State University in 1985. Senator
Ensign immediately began practicing veterinary medicine
and opened the first 24-hour animal hospital in Las Vegas.
Throughout
his career Ensign has fought for smaller, more effective
government, lower taxes, a strong national defense and
aggressive approach to combating terrorists, increased
parental control in education choices, and quality health
care for Nevada's seniors and veterans.
Senator
Ensign was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000 and
serves on the following committees: Budget; Commerce,
Science and Transportation; Finance; and Rules & Administration.
After his re-election in 2006, Ensign was selected by
his Senate Republican colleagues to be Chairman of the
National Republican Senatorial Committee, a select leadership
position offering Nevada a seat at the table. Ensign is
Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation
and Competitiveness of the Commerce Committee. As a past
High Tech Task Force Chairman, Ensign plays a leading
role in shaping telecommunications and technology policy
on Capitol Hill.
Since
taking office, Senator Ensign has worked hard and fulfilled
his promises to the people of Nevada. His Education High
Growth Grant amendment, which brings tens of millions
of extra dollars to Nevada schools, was included in the
education bill signed into law by President Bush.
On
the environmental front, the Southern Nevada Public Lands
Management Act, authored by then-Congressman Ensign, has
provided nearly $3 billion for Nevada’s general education
fund; Clark County parks; facilities at Red Rock Canyon,
Lake Mead, and the Spring Mountains; and the purchase
of environmentally sensitive land. The legislation was
amended by Senator Ensign to include vital protection
for Lake Tahoe by providing $300 million over the next
eight years for water clarity, erosion control, and fire
suppression to reverse the decline of Lake Tahoe's famous
clarity.
Senator
Ensign’s commitment to the environment also resulted in
the enactment of the Ensign-Reid Clark County Lands Bill
which protects environmentally sensitive areas in southern
Nevada, allows recreational opportunities to continue,
and improves the quality of life for all citizens. Thanks
to Ensign’s leadership, similar land bills for White Pine
and Lincoln Counties were signed into law and have provided
an economic boost while preserving the pristine beauty
of our state. The legislation included funding to reduce
the threat of catastrophic fire in the Great Basin Area
and eastern Nevada as well as protections for our valuable
outdoor areas such as Lake Tahoe, the Ballardini Ranch,
and the eastern Sierra.
During
his past service on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator
Ensign led the fight to build a Veterans Hospital in southern
Nevada to provide quality health care for the brave men
and women who proudly served this nation. Construction
is expected to be completed in 2011.
Senator
Ensign spends his workweek in Washington and his weekends
in Las Vegas with his wife, Darlene, and their three children—Trevor,
Siena, and Michael.
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