Interview: Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV)
Laura Visochek | Staff Writer
Last Updated:3/4/09 Section: Features
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Congresswoman Titus: Well, [my William and Mary education] fostered my interest in the field of politics and after I went on to graduate school and to teach politics, it seemed so natural that I would get into it. But also, just the inspirational side of being in the cradle of American democracy, it's hard to not be inspired. Even now, when I walk outside and see the Capital Building in any light of day, that kind of tugs at my heart. I think that feeling goes back to those days when I was a student at William and Mary.
VAI: Did you have a favorite professor at the College?
Titus: George Grayson was a professor of mine who I really liked in the political science department and I understand he went on to politics himself in the state legislature for a while. I think he's still there in Williamsburg.
VAI: What were some of your favorite classes?
Titus: I enjoyed many American government classes; I don't know that one was a favorite. But they seemed appropriate to take in the seat of American democracy and amongst the historic buildings, where so much happened in the past. I guess that is what inspired me.
VAI: Were you involved in a lot of clubs while you were at the College?
Titus: That was a period of time in history when there wasn't a lot of club joining and I wasn't a member of a sorority. There was certainly a lot of political activity, but it was mostly trips to Washington and things like that.
VAI: I understand that you were really involved in dance. Did you do that here?
Titus: I didn't. I should have. I was dancing all my life and I guess once I got off to college I kind of hung up my tap shoes.
VAI: What kinds of things can current William and Mary students who want to become involved in politics do to serve our country today?
Titus: I think there's a big role for volunteerism. There are so many things you can do as a volunteer today, whether it's cleaning up a highway, reading to a class, or joining an organization that promotes green energy. The second thing that I strongly encourage is internships. You can obtain an internship through a political office, working on a campaign, in Washington, or even your state capital. I think those are a great way to make an entrance or learn the ropes that give you a leg up to getting into politics yourself.
VAI: In addition to the stimulus package, are there any other kinds of legislation that you're really focused on passing in your time in Congress?
Titus: Well yes, as a matter of fact. I have worked a lot in Nevada on renewable energy because we're the sunniest state in the country. I will be real involved in that issue here, and I'm part of a group of congressmen that formed a caucus and we refer to ourselves as "Green-dog Democrats." Because, you know, you have the "Yellow-dog Democrats," "Blue-dogs;" we're the "Green." And that'll be a priority. And my second priority, because I am an educator, is working on education: making college accessible and affordable as well as investing in higher education, research and development. So those would be my two priorities.
VAI: Do women's rights fall within your priorities?
Titus: Well, I was endorsed by Emily's List, Planned Parenthood, and the Women's Lobby, National Women's Caucus. I ran a very pro-choice campaign in addition to being a member of the women's caucus. I will always be out front on those issues.
VAI: I know that one of your main interests is atomic energy. Will that fall under renewable energy or will that be another focus?
Titus: With all this talk about nuclear energy now, I will be very much involved in that. We certainly don't want Yucca Mountain in Nevada, which is where they're proposing to store the country's nuclear waste. And so that fits right under there, under the whole notion of energy independence, new technology, renewable energy.
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