Nevada congressman honors graduate student

November 21, 2007

Dana Bennett, a policy analyst at Morrison Institute for Public Policy and a graduate student in ASU’s public history doctoral program, was honored recently by Nevada’s congressional delegation for her book on the Nevada mining town of Midas.<separator></separator>On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nevada Rep. Jon Porter paid tribute to Bennett’s book and highlighted her accomplishments as a former research analyst with the Nevada Legislature, as well as her current position as a policy analyst and doctoral student at ASU.<separator></separator>The Sept. 6 Congressional Record reads: “I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Dana Bennett and congratulate her on her most recent work in writing ‘A Century of Enthusiasm: Midas, Nevada 1907-2007.’ … Her dedication to recording Nevada history is commendable, and I wish her every continued success.”<separator></separator>The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the U.S. Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session.<separator></separator>This significant recognition came as a surprise to Bennett, who learned about the tribute when she received a phone call from a former colleague, Stan Olsen, who serves as Porter’s district director.<separator></separator>“Up to that point, I had no idea that the piece had been in the Congressional Record, and so I was speechless when he told me,” Bennett says. “I was surprised, honored, delighted and humbled all at once.”<separator></separator>Nancy Welch, the associate director of the Morrison Institute, describes Bennett as “an exceptional researcher and policy analyst. Her work on Midas shows how she understands the importance of the past as well as the present.”<separator></separator>Noel Stowe of ASU’s public history program in the Department of History, in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, also notes the recognition with a compliment.<separator></separator>“Dana Bennett has a keen sense of how the past influences the present and helps shape current thinking,” he says. Bennett, who was raised in Reno, Nev., spent childhood summers and family holidays enjoying the small community of Midas. Her parents retired there in 1992. Based on interviews with Midas families and containing historical photographs of the town, her book details the 100-year history of this enduring hub of gold and sliver production.<separator></separator>All proceeds from “A Century of Enthusiasm” benefit Friends of Midas, a nonprofit historic preservation organization.<separator></separator>For more information about Bennett, visit the Graduate College’s Web site <a href="http://graduate.asu.edu">http://graduate.asu.edu</a>. Bennett also will be featured in an upcoming graduate student profile. Nicole Haas, <a href="mailto:nicole.haas@asu.edu">nicole.haas@asu.edu</a> (602) 496-0202 Morrison Institute on Public Policy

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