Hagerty, Colleagues Lead Passage of Resolution Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dolly Parton

Parton was a lifelong Tennessean and an internationally beloved entertainer and philanthropist

WASHINGTON-United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) led passage of a resolution honoring the life and legacy of country music star Dolly Parton.

Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) introduced a companion resolution in the United States House of Representatives.

Born in Locust Ridge, Tenn., Parton began her nearly 70-year musical career at age 10 and made her Grand Ole Opry debut at age 13. Over the next six decades, she wrote nearly 3,000 songs and sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including timeless classics such as "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," and "9 to 5."

Parton cemented her status as one of the most successful female artists of all time. She received 32 prestigious entertainment awards and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Beyond music, Parton dedicated much of her life to bettering her community, particularly in East Tennessee. In 1988, she founded the Dollywood Foundation, an organization committed to providing East Tennessee students with resources to further their education.

Parton went on to establish the Imagination Library, a charitable program that has provided over 332 million free books to children across the globe. She also raised more than $12 million for those affected by deadly wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains in 2016.

In addition to her philanthropic work, Parton was a successful businesswoman. In 1986, she opened Dollywood, a popular theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., which has since become a major East Tennessee economic driver and international tourist destination.

For her final business endeavor, Parton took inspiration from her years traveling on tour buses to establish Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tenn., in June 2026.

Parton passed away on Aug. 25 at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tenn., surrounded by family and loved ones following a brief battle with cancer.

"Dolly is truly a Tennessee legend," said Hagerty. "From her humble beginnings in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains to worldwide fame, Dolly exemplified the American Dream. Whether she was performing on stages across the globe, creating opportunities for families to make memories in Dollywood, or fostering a love of reading through her Imagination Library, Dolly lived a life dedicated to encouraging others to dream just as boldly as she did. She never forgot where she came from and left an indelible cultural and economic impact on our state. She will be very dearly missed, and I'm happy to help lead this effort in the Senate."

"Dolly Parton was a Tennessee treasure who lived out the Volunteer Spirit, loved our nation, and opened doors of opportunity for countless people," said Blackburn. "While there are no words to fully express the sorrow all Tennesseans feel in her loss, I hope this resolution plays at least a small part in ensuring that her legacy is never forgotten, and I am honored to lead it in the Senate."

"Dolly Parton was a legend, an icon, and an inspiration. Las Vegans and visitors enjoyed her shows for close to half a century, and books from her Imagination Library line the bookshelves of countless Nevada children," said Cortez Masto. "Today, we stand together to honor her contributions to American music, her lifetime of generosity and service, and her embrace of all people."

A copy of the resolution can be found here.

###