HOWARD W. CANNON served as the Democratic U.S. Senator from the State of Nevada for 24 years, from January 3, 1959 through January 3, 1983.

SENATE ASSIGNMENTS

Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
Chairman: 1978-81, Member: 1963-1983; Ranking Democratic Member: 1981-83; Chairman: Aviation Subcommittee 1971-1981; Ex-officio member of all other Subcommittees.

Armed Services Committee
Member: 1959-1983; Chairman: Tactical Air Power Subcommittee & Military Construction and Stockpiles Subcommittees; Member: Strategic and Theater Nuclear Forces Subcommittee; Tactical Warfare and Procurement Subcommittees.

Rules and Administration Committee
Chairman: 1973-1978; Member 1959-1983; Chairman: Privileges and Elections Subcommittee, Senate Rules Subcommittee.

Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
Chairman 1972-1976.

Democratic Steering Committee
Member

Joint Committee on Printing and Library
Chairman

Review Commission on National Policy Toward Gaming
Member: 1973-1976.
Senate Advisor to the United Nations on peaceful uses of outer space and the Treaty to Ban Nuclear Tests in the Atmosphere, Outer Space, and Under Water. [Treaty signed and ratified in 1963.]

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Resolution of Commendation states in part…
“Whereas Howard Cannon has authored and guided through Congress more legislation to reduce regulation by the Federal Government than any member of Congress in recent memory, he has become widely known with fondness and admiration as ‘MR. AVIATION’.”

AWARDS AND HONORS

Howard W. Cannon Lifetime Achievement Award – Nevada State Democratic Party, 2000; Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum at McCarran International Airport, 1999; Dixie College Hall of Fame Member, 1998; NASA Distinguished Service Award, 1982; Medal of the Prime Minister of Israel; Army Distinguished Service Medal; Tony Jannus Award for Outstanding Contribution to Scheduled Air Transportation, 1981; Reno/Tahe International Airport Terminal named in his honor, 1981; National Guard Association of the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal; Maxwell A. Kriendler Memorial Award; National Association of Air Traffic Specialists Hall of Fame; Laurence P. Sharples Award of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations; American Security Council Coalition for Peace Through Strength – Leadership Award; University of Arizona Alumni and Distinguished Service Award, University of Arizona 75 th Anniversary Medallion of Merit; H.H. Arnold Award – Air Force Association, 1977; National Security Industrial Association Outstanding Achievement Award, 1976; International Aviation Club Award of Merit, 1973; National Aviation Club Award of Achievement, 1970; Wright Brothers Memorial Award, 1971; Abraham O. Smoot Award, Brigham Young University. Honorary Degrees: Doctor of Laws, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1970; Doctor of Laws, Arizona State College, 1962.

MILITARY SERVICE

U. S. Air Force [Combat Engineers – Army Air Corps] 1941-46. Awards include Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, European Theater Ribbon with Eight Battle Stars, French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star and Presidential Citation. Twenty months overseas, shot down over Holland and evaded capture for 42 days before reaching Allied lines. Piloted many of the nation’s sophisticated fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, including the SR-71 and Supersonic F-15 and F-16. Major General Air Force Reserve, retired.

PERSONAL

Howard Walter Cannon was born in St. George, Utah, the son of Walter and Leah (Sullivan) Cannon on January 26, 1912. Graduated from Dixie Junior College, St. George, Utah; B.E. Arizona State Teachers College, Flagstaff, Arizona; L.L.B. University of Arizona, 1937. He was admitted to the Utah Bar, 1937; Reference Attorney Utah State Senate, 1939; County Attorney, Washington County, Utah, 1940. After completing his military service during WWII, he resumed practice of law in Las Vegas, Nevada, 1946, and served as Las Vegas City Attorney from 1949-1958. Member of Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and District of Columbia Bar Associations. Elected to U.A. Senate 1958; re-elected 1964, 1970, 1976. Married Dorothy Pace Cannon, 1945; Two children: Alan Howard Cannon, Nancy Lee Downey [Mrs. William Downey] and three grandchildren. From 1983 to 1992 he served as a consultant in Washington, D.C. and Nevada in aviation, defense, and political matters and traveled as a guest speaker for specialty groups and organizations sharing his expertise in many fields. He passed away on March 6, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada.