2024 House Commemoration 8006 - SD Legislature Celebrating Doris Neilan as the first woman to serve as a sergeant-at-arms in the South Dakota Legislature.

South Dakota Legislature

House Commemoration 8006

A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Celebrating Doris Neilan as the first woman to serve as a sergeant-at-arms in the South Dakota Legislature.

WHEREAS, Doris Neilan of Pierre was appointed as a sergeant-at-arms of the South Dakota Senate for the Fiftieth Session of the South Dakota State Legislature in 1975; and

WHEREAS, Neilan made history in that capacity as the first woman ever to serve as a sergeant-at-arms in the South Dakota Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Neilan, a mother of seven, shared with her children her deep interests in religion and politics, teaching them that good government is a way to shape society for the better:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Ninth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that Sergeant-at-Arms Doris Neilan, history maker, remains an outstanding example of good citizenship and service to the people of South Dakota.