Governor Lee Announces Intentions To Name Nashville Airport In Honor Of Dolly Parton
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Nashville International Airport (BNA) have revealed their intentions to name the airport in honor of Dolly Parton.
Following the passing of the iconic Tennessean earlier this week, Governor Lee spoke to Parton’s team about honoring her in this way. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s (MNAA) current Naming Policy and Gov. Lee’s proposal to rename the airport will be addressed at MNAA’s meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” shares Gov. Lee. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her. At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”
“BNA® is the front door to Music City, and with that comes a responsibility to reflect the very best of who we are as a community,” says Doug Kreulen, President and CEO, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. “Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life. She understood that dignity, kindness and opportunity should never be defined by where you come from or your socioeconomic status. At BNA, we share that commitment. Whether you are boarding a private aircraft or taking your first flight, you deserve to be welcomed, respected and served with the same level of care. That spirit is what defines BNA and it is a fitting reflection of the values Dolly shared with Tennessee and the world.”
In addition to amassing 44 top 10 country albums, 11 Grammy Awards, 10 CMA Awards, multiple hall of fame inductions and much more, Parton’s legacy includes a lifelong commitment to service and philanthropy. Through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, she has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children worldwide, promoting literacy and empowering children to reach their full potential.
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