Honoring the Service of Katie Blount to the State of Mississippi

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Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the public service of Katie Blount, who dedicated more than thirty years to the State of Mississippi at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), serving as the seventh director of the agency since 2015. As only the second woman to lead the department since its founding in 1902, Katie had a steadfast commitment to ``honest storytelling'' and understanding the complexities of Mississippi's storied history. Under Katie's leadership, the department has broadened access to its collections, expanded the stories it tells, and strengthened its commitment to preserving and interpreting the full and complex history of the state, ensuring that all Mississippians are represented. Katie was instrumental in the creation and opening of the Two Mississippi Museums, which has welcomed more than 800,000 visitors and established Mississippi as a national leader in public history. She also guided the department in providing support to the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag, helping ensure the Commission carried out its work with transparency and effectiveness. She has positioned the department for continued success in developing new sites that tell Mississippi's stories, including the Vicksburg Civil War Visitor Center, the Natchez Tribal History Center, and Margaret Ann Crigler Park, while also strengthening the protection of historic places across our state. I am thankful for Katie's dedication and many years of service to Mississippi. Her work will live on through future generations and continue to inspire other historians to keep Mississippi's unique story alive. I am thankful for the opportunity to recognize Katie's service and commitment to the people of Mississippi and to our state's history.

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