Remembering Dolly

Did you know that today, 9/25, is being celebrated as Dolly Parton Day all across the country? I can’t think of a better moment to celebrate Dolly’s extraordinary life and uniquely American story.

I’ve loved seeing (and hearing) the tributes people are sharing far and wide. They remind me what a beacon of light and love Dolly was to people from all walks of life across the United States and the world.

I have my own memories of Dolly going all the way back to her first Vegas residency at the Riviera in 1981. (Fun fact, that’s where she first performed “9 to 5.”) I was only in high school, but she had that much of an impact on me.

She was already a star, the “Queen of Country Music,” and in the decades after, she cemented her legacy as an icon and an inspiration to all of us. But what really set Dolly apart was her dedication to giving back to our communities.

Her generosity made its mark on the lives of so many families. As someone who grew up with very little, whose father never learned to read or write, Dolly was inspired to make books and reading accessible to every child. Today, there are countless children across Nevada and the country whose bookshelves are filled with free books provided through her Imagination Library.

When she passed away last month, we lost a woman who was defined by her hard work, kindness, generosity, service, and embrace of all people. She showed the ways that success could be used to help others and make our world a better place. Frankly, we could all stand to be a little more like Dolly.

That’s what I hoped to convey by co-leading the passage of a resolution in the Senate to honor Dolly’s life and legacy, from the music and entertainment that have enriched the lives of so many to the extraordinary philanthropic efforts she made to literacy, education and public health.

So, whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering Dolly’s remarkable story now, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating her today. We will always treasure her remarkable legacy of kindness, love, and service.

Catherine

A personal note from Catherine Cortez Masto:

I am the product of my parents’ American dream: the granddaughter of Mexican and Italian immigrants, the first generation in my family to graduate college, the first woman elected senator in Nevada and first Latina senator in the entire country.

I have always believed that if you’re willing to work hard and play by the rules, you should have every opportunity to succeed.

But that’s gotten harder and harder. Thanks to Donald Trump and the GOP majorities in Congress, we are paying more for less. Critical programs our families rely on, like Medicare and Social Security, are at risk. Our fundamental rights are under attack, and so are many of our communities.

I’m not giving up. I never will, and I hope you won’t either. This fall, we have a chance to win a Senate majority for Democrats and finally gain the power to block Donald Trump’s harmful agenda. I know we can do it, but I also know it’ll take ALL of us working together.

So please, if you’re with me, will you chip in now to help flip the Senate?

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