- 82nd Session (2023)
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3–Senators Nguyen; Buck,
Cannizzaro, Daly, Donate, Dondero Loop, Flores,
Goicoechea, Hammond, Hansen, D. Harris, Krasner, Lange,
Neal, Ohrenschall, Pazina, Scheible, Seevers Gansert,
Spearman, Stone and Titus
Joint Sponsors: Assemblymen Yeager; Anderson, Backus, Bilbray-
Axelrod, Brown-May, Carter, Cohen, Considine, DeLong,
Dickman, D’Silva, Duran, Gallant, González, Gorelow,
Gray, Gurr, Hafen, Hansen, Hardy, Hibbetts, Jauregui,
Kasama, Koenig, La Rue Hatch, Marzola, McArthur,
Brittney Miller, C.H. Miller, Monroe-Moreno, Mosca,
Newby, Nguyen, O’Neill, Orentlicher, Peters, Summers-
Armstrong, Taylor, Thomas, Torres, Watts and Yurek
FILE NUMBER..........
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION—Memorializing
esteemed attorney and lobbyist Ben Graham.
WHEREAS, Ben Graham was born in 1942 in Corvallis, Oregon
and thrived growing up on his family’s farm and playing the piano;
and
WHEREAS, After a brief sojourn in Washington, D.C. for college
and work, Ben returned to Oregon to pursue his true passion in legal
studies, graduating with a doctorate of jurisprudence cum laude
from Willamette University College of Law; and
WHEREAS, Ben practiced law for 8 years in Oregon and also
served as the president of the Board of Mentally Handicapped
Adults, before moving to Las Vegas in 1977 to become a prosecutor
for the Clark County District Attorney’s Office; and
WHEREAS, Ben continued on to serve as a Chief Deputy District
Attorney in the Criminal Division and also played an influential role
in the evolution of Nevada’s current criminal law as the lobbyist for
the Nevada District Attorneys Association; and
WHEREAS, Ben worked tirelessly for over 30 years to improve
the judicial system in this State, including teaching criminal justice
courses for 29 years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the
College of Southern Nevada; and
WHEREAS, After retirement from his illustrious career with
Clark County, Ben continued his contributions to the legal
community as an attorney for the Nevada Supreme Court for 14
years, by which time he had perfected his famous chocolate chip
cookies that he and Elana, his loving wife of 43 years, often baked
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- 82nd Session (2023)
to give as gifts to their friends and loved ones in the community,
including the Nevada Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Although Ben’s professional career included many
accomplishments, one of his proudest achievements was co-
founding the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers program of the State
Bar of Nevada, which assists lawyers with addiction issues; and
WHEREAS, On a personal level, Ben is remembered by his wife,
his children and their spouses, his niece and nephew, as well as his
grandchildren, as a man of strong faith and a constant source of
support and unconditional love; and
WHEREAS, Although Ben faced many challenges and difficulties
during his lifetime, including the tragic passing of his daughter
Caroline in 2012, he used the hardships he endured as inspiration for
a life of service, which ultimately left an enduring impact on
Nevadans from all walks of life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, THE
ASSEMBLY CONCURRING, That Ben Graham’s legacy and
immeasurable contributions to the legal community of this State be
commended and remembered as having forever changed the course
of life for generations of Nevadans; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Ben Graham’s life, both professionally and
personally, serve as the true embodiment of what it means to live a
life of service in this State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and
transmit a copy of this resolution to the family of Ben Graham; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution becomes effective upon
adoption.
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