Senate Resolution 77

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF DONNA DYE UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER 26 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE OLD CAPITOL MUSEUM AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.

WHEREAS, after 26 years of dedicated service to the Old Capitol Museum and the Department of Archives and History, Donna Dye has elected to retire; and

WHEREAS, Donna has brought great energy and commitment to every position she has held at the Department of Archives and History; and

WHEREAS, Donna came to the department in 1973 as a volunteer docent; and

WHEREAS, she has held a wide range of positions on the museum staff, including historian, programs coordinator and programs historian; and

WHEREAS, in 1977, in just her second year on the staff, Donna took the lead in planning for and opening the Old Capitol Bookstore, which is now the Old Capitol Shop; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, Donna was named Director of the Museum Division with responsibility over the Old Capitol Museum, the Manship House Museum, and the curatorial functions at the Governor's Mansion and the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, highlights of Donna's tenure as Director include the 1997 opening of the Old Capitol Museum's new permanent exhibit Mississippi 1500-1800 and the Old Capitol's selection in 2001 as one of the nation's first Smithsonian Affiliates; and

WHEREAS, since the death of Eudora Welty in July 2001, Donna has been instrumental in coordinating the work of the department and the Eudora Welty Foundation in planning for the opening of the Eudora Welty House Museum; and

WHEREAS, Donna's leadership in the historical community extends well beyond her work with the department; and

WHEREAS, Donna has been an active member of the Mississippi Historical Society, serving with dedication on the Board of Directors and on numerous committees; and

WHEREAS, Donna has also generously given her time and energy to the Mississippi Heritage Trust, the Mississippi Museums Association, the Southeastern Museums Conference, the American Association for State and Local History, and countless civic organizations in Jackson; and

WHEREAS, Donna's education background, activities and affiliations are extensive, and she is the mother of three accomplished sons, grandmother of two and, of course, is married to Honorable Brad Dye, former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Mississippi and President of the Mississippi Senate for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, Donna is appreciated by her many friends at the Mississippi Senate and at the Department of Archives and History not just for her dedication to her work and her love of history, but also for her lively sense of humor and her gracious southern manners:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the legacy of public service of Donna Dye upon the occasion of her retirement after 26 years of service to the Old Capitol Museum and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and thank her for her exceptional service to the State of Mississippi, wishing her success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Donna Dye and her family, be forwarded to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.