WHEREAS, The arts contribute greatly to the quality of life, education, culture, heritage and economy of Idaho, its communities, citizens and visitors; and

        WHEREAS, Delores C. “Dee” Fery of Boise, patron and champion of the arts, is retiring this June after 12 years as a commissioner with the Idaho Commission on the Arts; and

        WHEREAS, Dee Fery served as chair of the Idaho Commission on the Arts for three years and as chair for the 1996 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, winning a Governor’s Award for Distinguished Service and Support of the Arts that year; and

        WHEREAS, Dee Fery has long been a generous benefactor and tireless volunteer for arts groups in the Treasure Valley and beyond, including the Boise Art Museum, its Collector’s Forum and National Advisory Committee, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Dance Theatre, Boise Contemporary Theater, Ballet Idaho and Sun Valley Center for the Arts; and

        WHEREAS, Dee Fery also has provided leadership and support to arts organization on the regional and national levels, as an exemplary five-year member of the Board of Trustees of the Western States Arts Federation, and as chair of the host committee for the 2005 Annual Conference of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies which convened in Boise in September 2005; and

        WHEREAS, Dee Fery is among the country’s finest recruiters of new arts enthusiasts; inspiring and empowering others, providing guidance and gently shepherding arts organizations to bold new achievements; and

        WHEREAS, Dee Fery was recognized for her “outstanding service, creative thinking and leadership” as the winner of the 2006 Distinguished Public Service Award from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies; and

        WHEREAS, Dee Fery’s unique talent, unshakeable generosity and spirit of inclusive graciousness have made an immeasurable impact on the arts in Idaho, the West and the nation;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim May 3^rd, 2007, to be

DEE  FERY  DAY
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 3^rd day of May in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE