Edan Strekal, project archivist for , which is a department within the , has contributed a section to the book published every 10 years by the . It is the go-to reference book for Nevada's legislators, schools, and libraries. Strekal's section is titled, "The ‘First Friend': The Political Bond of Ronald Reagan and Paul Laxalt."
The 2016 edition was released at a ceremonial signing at the Nevada Legislature on June 1. It is available and will be updated every two years until the 2026 edition is published.
"I was flattered to be a part of its creation this time around," Strekal said. "My piece highlights the long-standing friendship of Laxalt and Reagan that began in 1967 when both were elected to the governorships of neighboring states, Nevada and California.
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Photograph of Ronald Reagan and Paul Laxalt in Nevada, 1984. Photo courtesy of University Libraries Special Collections Department
This bond flourished after Laxalt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974, and went on to serve as the campaign chairperson for Reagan's presidential campaigns in 1976, 1980, and again in 1984."
Strekal processed a portion of the made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Service, administered through the Nevada State Library and Archives. These materials are housed at the ҹɫƵ in the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center's Special Collections department located on the third floor of the building.
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Photograph of Nancy Reagan, Paul Laxalt, and Ronald Reagan, Washington, D.C., 1982. Photo courtesy of University Libraries Special Collections Department
"By processing this collection and having spent so much time with the materials, I learned a great deal about the relationship of Laxalt and Reagan," he said. "I was honored to contribute to this book because, as a Carson City native, I recognize the importance of Laxalt's role in Nevada and the United States at large. He was the first-ever Basque-American to hold a spot in the U.S. Senate, and played a vital role in national politics given he was Reagan's right-hand."
Strekal said contributing to this book turned his work as a project archivist into something very special and allowed him the opportunity to pursue another opportunity to write something that people will end up reading, which he also enjoys.
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Photograph of Paul Laxalt at his desk, Washington, D.C., 1984. Photo courtesy of University Libraries Special Collections Department
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