Reid names Titus to civil rights commission

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., has named outgoing U.S. Rep. Dina Titus to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

The commission investigates charges of civil rights violations, reporting to both the President and Congress.

"During her many years of service to the people of Nevada and this country, Dina has been a strong advocate for defending the rights of all Americans," Reid said.

Titus leaves Congress in January. She was defeated in her bid for a second term by former state Sen. Joe Heck.

She previously served 20 years in the state Senate, much of that time as leader of the Democratic Party. She has taught political science at UNLV for more than 30 years.

She will fill the commission seat being vacated by Arlen Melendez, chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.