MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Scott (17th), Reynolds

WHEREAS, Mrs. Joyce Nall Dortch, a longtime resident of Jackson, Mississippi, will be retiring in the spring of 1999 with 40 years of dedicated experience in the field of social work; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dortch, born in Meridian, Mississippi, is the daughter of Erma and Hardy Nall, who worked for the State Park Commission; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Clinton High School, Mrs. Dortch earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Millsaps College and a Master's of Social Work from Columbia University in New York; and

WHEREAS, upon completion of her master's degree, Mrs. Dortch returned to Mississippi, where she worked as a pediatric social worker at the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, Mrs. Dortch began working for the Governor's Office as the Executive Director of the Governor's Committee on Children and Youth and later as a Program Development Specialist with the Governor's Office of Education and Training; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dortch has been an active Board member of several organizations, including the YWCA, the Hinds County Mental Health Association, the League of Women Voters, Mountain Retreat Association, the Women's Political Network, and the Jackson Voluntary Action Center, where she served as a founding director; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, Mrs. Dortch became the Executive Director of the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and has faithfully served in that capacity for the past 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dortch has served in a leadership role in numerous professional organizations, such as the National Association of Social Workers, the Academy of Certified Social Workers, the Mississippi Conference on Social Welfare and the Advisory Board at the University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work; and

WHEREAS, having received the Mississippi Social Worker of the Year Award in 1974 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Chapter of the NASW in 1992, Mrs. Dortch helped start the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi, the first graduate social work program in the state; and

WHEREAS, currently serving as an Elder of Fondren Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Dortch has also faithfully served in a number of leadership positions at the local and national level in the Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Dortch has been lovingly supported in all her endeavors by her husband of 38 years, Mr. Richard Dortch, their children, Shannon and Richard, Jr., and one grandson, Peyton; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds it most appropriate to recognize such an outstanding woman as Mrs. Joyce Nall Dortch, who has given tirelessly of her time and outstanding leadership to serve the people of this state in the field of social work:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Mrs. Joyce Nall Dortch for her 40 years of service in the field of social work and extend to her our heartiest wishes for many years of good health and happiness upon her retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Joyce Nall Dortch and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.