Honoring Elizabeth Hanford Dole.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S Simple
Resolution
Adopted
SENATE RESOLUTION 769
Adopted 6/4/25

Sponsors: Senators Berger and Ford (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Calendar 6/4/2025
June 3, 2025
*S769-v-2*
A SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING ELIZABETH H ANFORD DOLE, A 1
TRAILBLAZING PUBLIC SERVANT. 2
Whereas, Elizabeth Hanford Dole is a distinguished American politician, attorney, 3
and public servant whose career spans five decades in multiple presidential administrations and 4
the United States Senate. She played a pioneering role in shaping public policy, breaking barriers 5
for women in leadership, and advocating for social causes; and 6
Whereas, Elizabeth Hanford Dole was born on July 29, 1936, in Salisbury, N orth 7
Carolina. She was raised in a traditional Southern family that emphasized education and civic 8
responsibility. She attended Duke University, where she earned a degree in political science in 9
1958. Demonstrating both academic excellence and leadership s kills, she went on to study law 10
at Harvard University, earning her Juris Doctor in 1965. At Harvard Law School, Elizabeth was 11
one of only a few women in her class, reflecting the challenges she would face in a 12
male-dominated field. Her legal education laid the foundation for a career that would blend law, 13
government service, and politics; and 14
Whereas, Elizabeth Hanford Dole's career in public service began in the 1960s when 15
she worked for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. She later served as a consumer 16
advocate and a staff member of the White House Office of Consumer Affairs. Her national 17
prominence grew when she joined the Nixon and Ford administrations in various capacities. Her 18
reputation as a capable and articulate leader led to her appoi ntment as a member of the Federal 19
Trade Commission under President Richard Nixon; and 20
Whereas, in 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed Elizabeth Hanford Dole as the 21
Secretary of Transportation, making her the first woman to hold the position. During her tenure 22
in that office, she was instrumental in enforcing seatbelt and airbag regulations, enacting 21 as 23
the legal drinking age, and advancing transportation safety initiatives, which has saved over 24
563,000 lives to date with a projected 20,000 per year g oing forward. Under President George 25
H.W. Bush, she served as Secretary of Labor from 1989 to 1990, where she focused on workplace 26
safety and skills development; and 27
Whereas, after leaving government service in 1991, Elizabeth Hanford Dole became 28
the president of the American Red Cross and the second woman to lead the organization since 29
its founder in 1881. She held this position for eight years. During her time in that role, she 30
modernized the organization and emphasized improving its blood collection and disaster 31
response systems. Her leadership revitalized the institution, ensuring it remained an effective 32
humanitarian organization; and 33
Whereas, Elizabeth Hanford Dole successfully ran for election to the U.S. Senate 34
from North Carolina in 2002. She served the State admirably in that capacity from 2003 to 2009. 35
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Resolution 769
As a senator, she focused on military affairs, veterans' issues, and healthcare, reflecting her 1
commitment to public service and national security; and 2
Whereas, Elizabeth Hanford Dole was married to Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole, a 3
longtime U.S. Senator from Kansas and the 1996 Republican presidential nominee, until his 4
death in 2021. The couple was regarded as a political power duo, supporting each other's careers 5
while maintaining their own distinguished identities in public service; and 6
Whereas, beyond Elizabeth Hanford Dole's political career, she founded the Elizabeth 7
Dole Foundation in 2012, which focuses on supporting military caregivers. Over the past decade, 8
she and the Foundation have empowered, s upported, and honored the nation's 14.3 million 9
military caregivers: the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who care for America's 10
wounded, ill, or injured veterans. The Elizabeth Dole Act, passed in 2024 and spearheaded by 11
the Foundation, stren gthens caregiver support at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 12
establishes a user-friendly resource center, and expands VA Home -Based Community Services 13
nationwide. Her work in this area highlights her dedication to the well-being of those who serve 14
our country and their families; and 15
Whereas, Elizabeth Hanford Dole has received numerous honors and awards 16
throughout her lifetime in recognition of her contributions to public service, leadership, and 17
humanitarian efforts. Some of the most notable honors include: the Presidential Medal of 18
Freedom (2024), which recognized her lifelong public service, National Women's Hall of Fame 19
Induction (1995), which recognized her trailblazing career in government and public service, 20
Public Welfare Medal (2004), which was awarded by The National Academy of Sciences for her 21
leadership at the American Red Cross and dedication to public service, Virginia Military Institute 22
Distinguished Service Award (2007), which honored her advocacy on behalf of military families 23
and vet erans; and numerous honorary degrees from universities such as Duke University, 24
Harvard University, and the University of North Carolina, recognizing her contributions to law, 25
government, and humanitarian work; and 26
Whereas, Elizabeth Hanford Dole's career has been marked by numerous firsts and 27
groundbreaking achievements. From being one of the first women to graduate from Harvard Law 28
School to becoming a United States Senator and leading major federal agencies, she has paved 29
the way for future generations o f women in leadership. Her contributions to government, 30
philanthropy, and public service ensure that her legacy will endure for years to come; Now, 31
therefore, 32
Be it resolved by the Senate: 33
SECTION 1. The Senate wishes to honor Elizabeth Hanford Dole, a distinguished 34
North Carolinian and former United States Senator, for her many years of public service and 35
desires to express its sincere gratitude for all that she has contributed to our State and nation. 36
SECTION 2. The Principal Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Elizabeth 37
Hanford Dole. 38
SECTION 3. This resolution is effective upon adoption. 39