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Roll Call of the States
13th Annual
National Association
of
State Military
Resource Managers
Florida – June 2005
Alabama
NASMRM POC – Wayne Pratt
wayne.pratt@al.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Alabama workers built the first rocket to put humans on the moon.
•World’s first electric trolley system was introduced in Montgomery in
1886.
• In 1902 Dr. Luther Leonidas Hill performed the first open heart surgery in
the Western Hemisphere by suturing a stab wound in a young boy's heart.
• Birthplace of Joe Louis, Hank Aaron, Nat King Cole, the Temptations and
of course, Jim Nabors (HEY ANDY!)
Alaska
NASMRM POC – Richard Turcic
richard_turcic@ak-prepared.com
Interesting Facts:
• The Trans-Alaska Pipeline moves up to 88,000 barrels of oil per hour on
its 800 mile journey to Valdez.
• In 1926 13-year-old Bennie Benson from Cognac, Alaska designed the
state flag.
• Juneau is the only capital city in the U.S. accessible only by boat or plane.
• In 1915 the record high temperature in Alaska was 100 degrees
Fahrenheit; the record low temperature was –80 degrees in 1971.
• In 1867 United States Secretary of State William H. Seward offered Russia
$7,200,000, or two cents per acre, for Alaska.
Arizona
NASMRM POC – Diane Freeman
diane.freeman@az.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• Leads the nation in Copper production and the amount of copper on the
roof of the Capitol building is equivalent to 4.8 million pennies.
•Considered by flag experts to have the best-looking flag of all the States.
•The bola-tie is the official state neckwear. (something to be proud of!)
•Famous Arizonan’s: Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman);
Apache Kid (Outlaw); Barry Goldwater (Politician)
Arkansas
NASMRM POC – Linda Barron
linda.barron@ar.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Has the only public diamond mine in the world at Crater of Diamonds.
• Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart stores in Bentonville.
•Milk is the official state beverage. (Such a wholesome state)
•Famous Arkansans: Johnny Cash, and General Douglas McArthur.
•Home of Glen Campbell –
California
NASMRM POC – Bob Olsen
robert.olsen@ca.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Dick and Mac McDonald opened the first McDonald’s restaurant in
San Bernardino.
•California consumes more bottled water than any other product.
• Former Actor Arnold Swartzenager becomes California governor.
• Famous Californian’s: Robert Redford (Actor); Julia Child (Chef);
Jeff Gordon (Lincoln Steven’s double)
• California is in the news lately for this Famous Neverland celebrity.
Colorado
NASMRM POC – Carol Mentone
Carol.Mentone@dmva.state.co.us
Interesting Facts:
• Home of the United States Air Force Academy.
•Denver, lays claim to the invention of the cheeseburger. The trademark for
the name Cheeseburger was awarded in 1935 to Louis Ballast.
•The word “Colorado” means “colored red.”
•Famous Coloradans: Tim Allen (Actor); Ted Mack (TV Host)
Connecticut
NASMRM POC – Joseph Duberek
Joseph.Duberek@po.state.ct.us
Interesting Facts:
•The first automobile law was passed by the state of CT in 1901. The speed
limit was set at 12 miles per hour. It was also the first state to issue
permanent license plates for cars.
•Connecticut is home to the first hamburger, Polaroid camera, helicopter,
and color television.
•Famous Nutmeggers: Benedict Arnold (“Hmm, never trust them thar
Nutmeggers”); Benjamin Spock (pediatrician)
Florida
NASMRM POC – Ralph K. Johns
kenny.johns@fl.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink
was first developed.
•The first Snapper riding lawn mower was developed in Florida. (Now
that’s impressive!)
•NASMRM thanks Florida for their hospitality and dedication to our
organization!
• Famous Floridian’s : Janet Reno (that says it all!);
Dwight Gooden (Baseball Player); Faye Dunaway (Actress)
Georgia
NASMRM POC –Ray Godleski
ray.godleski@ga.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Coca-Cola was invented by Dr. John Pemberton in May 1886 in Atlanta
and first sold at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta.
• In Gainesville, the Chicken Capital of the World it is illegal to eat chicken
with a fork.
•Famous Georgian’s: Hulk Hogan (Now there’s the man!); Jackie
Robinson (Athlete); Ray Charles (Singer)
Hawaii
NASMRM POC
Thomas T. Moriyasu
tmoriyasu@dod.state.hi.us
Interesting Facts:
• The only state in the U.S. that grows coffee.
• More than 100 world-renowned beaches ring Honolulu.
• SNOW?? I think not.
• Home to Tom Selleck (Where has he been?)
• Famous Hawaiian’s: Don Ho (brings back memories)
Idaho
NASMRM POC – LeRae Nelson
inelson@bds.state.id.us
Interesting Facts:
•Home of Sun Valley, recognized as the home of America’s first destination
ski resort.
•The Statehouse in Boise and dozens of other buildings in the city are
geothermally heated from underground hot springs.
•In Idaho law forbids a citizen to give another citizen a box of candy that
weighs more than 50 pounds. (Should be a law against that!)
Famous Idahoan’s: Joe Albertson (Grocery Store Chain Owner);
Lana Turner (Acress)
Illinois
NASMRM POC – John Newman
john.w.newman@il.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•The Chicago River is dyed green on Saint Patrick’s Day.
• Metropolis the home of Superman really exists in Southern Illinois.
•The Illinois state dance is square dancing. (Kick your heels!)
•Famous Illinoisans: Cindy Crawford (Model) (Don’t say anything boys!);
Walt Disney (Animator, Businessman); Raquel Welch (Actress)
(They grow em’ pretty in Illinois)
Indiana
NASMRM POC – Kami Woods
kwoods@ago.state.in.us
Interesting Facts:
• Racing Capital of the World.
•Home of Van Camp’s Pork & Beans. (Beans, Beans – the magical fruit)
•In 1934 Chicago Gangster John Dillinger escaped jail by using a “pistol”
he had carved from a wooden block.
•Famous Hoosier’s: Jeff Gordon (Race Car Driver); Steve Alford (IOWA
Basketball Coach – you can have him back); Michael Jackson (California
loves him now!)
Iowa
NASMRM POC – Duane Jamison
Duane.Jamison@iowa.gov
Interesting Facts:
• Home to more than 97,000 farms
• Home of Quaker Oats, the largest cereal company in the world
• Iowa State Fair ranked as the Number 2 “Top Place in
• America” to go for summer fun. (Best darn Turkey Leg on a stick
you’ve ever had!)
•
•
Famous Iowans: John Wayne (Actor); Ashton Kutcher (Actor)
Kansas
NASMRM POC – Janice Harper
jlharper@agtop.state.ks.us
Interesting Facts:
•Leads the nation in the production of Helium. (Talk like Donald Duck!)
• Has largest flock of prairie chickens in North America.
•At one time it was against the law to serve ice cream on cherry pie in
Kansas .
• Famous Kansans: Barry Sanders (Football); Walter Chrysler (Automaker)
Kentucky
NASMRM POC – Steven Waggoner
Steven.Waggoner@ky.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•The first enamel bathtub was made in Louisville in 1856.
• More than $6 billion worth of gold is held in the underground
vaults of Fort Knox. This is the largest amount of gold stored
anywhere in the world.
•Chevrolet Corvettes are manufactured in Bowling Green.
•Famous Kentuckians: Diane Sawyer (journalist);
Muhammed Ali (Living proof that boxing is not good for you!)
Louisiana
NASMRM POC – Donald Burgess
donald.burgess@la.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• Bayou (BUY-you) is a French word for slow-moving river.
•The world famous “Mardi Gras” is celebrated in New Orleans. This
custom was originated in Southern Europe – to celebrate food and fun 40
days before Lint – a Catholic time of prayer and sacrifice. (I wonder what
the beads originally were meant for?)
•FAMOUS Louisianians: Known for many fine musicians – Louis
Armstrong; Fats Domino; and Jelly Roll Morton
Maine
NASMRM POC – Linda Gosselin
linda.gosselin@me.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Known to NASMRM members as having the best darn lobster in the U.S!
• 90% of the country's toothpick supply is produced in Maine.
•Maine is the only state that shares its border with only one other state.
•Main’s state flower is the white pine cone and tassel (Must be a lot of
dancers there!)
•Famous Mainers: (Couldn’t find any? All famous people are from
“away”)
Maryland
NASMRM POC – John Nickerson
nickersonj@mdmildep.org
Interesting Facts:
• Home to the United States Naval Academy
•The Official Sport of Maryland is Jousting
•Annapolis is known as the sailing capital of the world.
•Known to NASMRM members as the party capitol of the U.S.
•FAMOUS Marylanders: Babe Ruth (Baseball Player); Frank Zappa
(Singer?); Spiro T. Agnew (Vice President)
Massachusetts
NASMRM POC – Bill Bankert
bill.bankert@state.ma.us
Interesting Facts:
•Boston built the first subway system in the U.S. in 1897.
•The Fig Newton was named after Newton, Massachusetts. (There’s
another one to be proud of!)
•The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in Plymouth in 1621.
•Famous BayStaters: Leonard Nemoy (Live Long & Prosper);
John F. Kennedy (President)
Michigan
NASMRM POC – Alfred Christian
christiana@michigan.gov
Interesting Facts:
• Has more lighthouses than any other state in the country.
• Has more than 11,000 inland lakes and over 36,000 miles of streams.
• Detroit is known as the car capital of the world.
•Famous Michiganians: Madonna (Eye Protection needed); home of many
comedians (funny state) Gilda Radner; Lilly Tomlin; and Dick Martin
Minnesota
NASMRM POC – Terrence Palmer
terry.palmer@mn.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•The stapler was invented in Spring Valley.
• The first Intercollegiate Basketball game was played in Minnesota
on February 9,1895.
• The Mall of America in Bloomington is the size of 78 football fields --- 9.5
million square feet.
•Famous Minnesotans: Jesse Ventura (Politician, Wrestler); Prince Rogers
Nelson (singer “Are we sure that’s his name?)
Mississippi
NASMRM POC – Darryl Womack
darryl.womack@msng.state.ms.us
Interesting Facts:
•The first football player on a Wheaties box was Walter Payton of
Columbia.
•NASMRM members enjoyed the hospitality here!
• David Harrison of Columbus owns the patent on the Soft Toilet Seat. Over
1,000,000 are sold every year. (Now there’s something to be proud of!)
•Famous Mississippians: Oprah Winfrey (Talk-Show Host); Tennessee
Williams (Playwright); Brett Farve(GOOD football player!)
Missouri
NASMRM POC – Mary Lea
mary.lea@mo.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•At the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, Richard Blechyden, served tea with
ice and invented Iced Tea!
•The state animal is the “Mule” (Nothing needs to be said here!)
•The tallest man in documented medical history was 8 feet 11.1 inches tall
from St. Louis.
•Famous Missourians: Yogi Berra (baseball); Rush Limbaugh (journalist);
Ginger Rogers (Dancer); Vincent Price (Scary Actor)
Montana
NASMRM POC – Karen Revious
krevious@mt.gov
Interesting Facts:
The density of the state is six people per square mile.
In Montana the elk, deer and antelope populations
outnumber the humans.
Famous Montanans: Evil Knievel (Daredevil Cyclist);
Gary Cooper (Actor)
Nebraska
NASMRM POC – Shawn Fitzgerald
shawn.fitzgerald@.ne.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska.
• The 911 emergency system originated in Lincoln, Nebraska.
•In Blue Hill, Nebraska, no female wearing a 'hat that would scare a timid
person' can be seen eating onions in public.
•Famous Nebraskan’s: Home of many fine actors such as Henry Fonda;
Marlon Brando; Fred Astaire; and Montgomery Clift
Nevada
NASMRM POC – Miles Celio
mcelio@govmail.state.nv.us
Interesting Facts:
•In 1999 Nevada had 205,726 slot machines, one for every 10 residents.
•The only state with an entire museum dedicated to the life of Liberace.
•The Largest gold-producing state in the nation.
•Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other place on earth.
•Famous Nevadans: Andre Agassi (Tennis Player); Pat Nixon (First Lady)
New Hampshire
NASMRM POC – Stephanie Milender
stephanie.milender@nh.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•New Hampshire was the first to declare its independence from Mother
England.
• Built in 1900 the Hampton River Bridge called the “mile-long bridge” was
reputed to be the longest wooden bridge I the world.
•Famous New Hampshirites: John Irving (writer);
Franklin Pierce (U.S. President)
New Jersey
NASMRM POC – Wayne Hunt
wayne.hunt@njdmava.state.nj.us
Interesting Facts:
•NASMRM members found out that travel advances don’t cover enough
expenses! We loved the martini bar!
•Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world .
•North Jersey is the car theft capital of the world. More cars are stolen in
Newark than even New York City and Los Angeles put together.
•Famous New Jerseyites: Whitney Houston (singer);
Bruce Springsteen (musician, singer); Frank Sinatra (singer)
New Mexico
NASMRM POC – Valerie Martinez
valerie.martinez@nm.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• The Navajo, the Nation's largest Native American Group, have a
reservation that covers 14 million Acres.
•In 1950 the little cub that was to become Smokey the Bear was found
trapped in a tree when his home in Lincoln National Forest was destroyed
by fire.
•NASMRM members learned the phrase “VIVA Tequila” and “Where’s the
Pepto Bismol”
•Famous New Mexicans: Demi Moore (actress); John Denver (singer)
New York
NASMRM POC – James Lamback
james.lamback@ny.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• The first pizzeria in the US was opened in 1895 in New York City.
• New York City is the most populous city in the nation and has 722 miles of
subway track.
• The first state to require license plates on cars.
• The first capital of the United States of America was New York City.
•Famous New Yorkers: Humphrey Bogart (actor); Puff Daddy (singer);
Norman Rockwell (artist)
North Carolina
NASMRM POC – Rodney Thomas
rodney.thomas@nc.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• The Krispy Kreme Doughnut was founded in Winston-Salem
•Had the first state governor to be impeached – William Holden removed
from office March 22, 1871.
•Pepsi was invented and first served in New Bern in 1898. (We love Pepsi
in the Midwest!)
•Famous North Carolinians: Andy Griffith (actor);
Howard Cosell (announcer); Richard Petty (Race Car Driver)
North Dakota
NASMRM POC – Darcy Schwind
darcy.schwind@nd.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
Everyone in North Dakota has a milk mustache
because it is the official beverage of their state!
Lewis and Clark, Sakakawea, George
Custer, Sitting Bull and Theodore Roosevelt
lived out larger-than-life adventures here.
Famous North Dakotans: Lawrence Welk (Band
Leader); Louis L’Amour (author)
Ohio
NASMRM POC – Nadie Evans
nicki.evans@oh.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Akron is the rubber capital of the world.
•Neil Armstrong from Wapakoneta was the first man to walk on the moon.
•The Wright Brothers from Dayton are acknowledged as the inventors of
the first airplane.
•John Lambert of Ohio City made America’s first automobile in 1891.
•The Cincinnati Reds were the first professional baseball team.
•Famous Ohioans: Bob Hope (actor); Neil Armstrong (Astronaut); Cy
Young (Baseball player); Halle Berry (Actress)
Oklahoma
NASMRM POC – COL Dale E Carney
dale.carney@ok.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• Home of Will Rogers, Vince Gill, Reba McIntyre, Toby Keith, Garth
Brooks and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
•State capitol building has an oil well underneath it.
•The name “Sooner” comes from those landrunners who snuck past territory
markers prior to the actual shotgun start of a land rush.
•Best darn football team in the Big 12 (this hurts Lesa!)
•Famous Okie’s: Dale and Donna Carney
Oregon
NASMRM POC Jason Schwabel
jason.e.schwabel@or.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• Has more ghost towns than any other state.
• State motto is “She flies with her own wings.” (Ghosts?)
• The Columbia River gorge is considered by many to be the best place in
the world for windsurfing.
•Famous Oregonians: Doc Severinsen (Band Leader);
Sally Struthers (Actress)
Pennsylvania
NASMRM POC – Patricia Sale
psale@state.pa.us
Interesting Facts:
•In 1913 the first automobile service station opened in Pittsburgh .
• Home of Hershey’s Chocolate
• Philadelphia is the site of the first public zoo, the first daily newspaper
published in the US (1784), home of the first computer (1946), and site of
the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
•Famous Pennsylvanians: Bill Cosby (actor); Lee Iacocca; (Auto Exec)
Rhode Island
NASMRM POC – William Henry
william.henry@ri.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• The smallest state covering 1,214 square miles
•First to take military action against England in Revolution by sinking one
of her ships in the Narragansett Bay
•First state to host open golf tournament in 1895.
•Rhode Island has the oldest Roman Catholic Parish St. Mary’s. Famous
wedding to be held there was Jacqueline Bouvier to John F. Kennedy in
1853.
•Famous Rhode Islanders: Nelson Eddy (Actor); Spalding Gray (author)
South Carolina
NASMRM POC –Jean Abrahamsen
jean.abrahamsen@sc.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• First state to leave the Union at the start of the Civil War and the site of the
first fighting of the war at Ft. Sumter.
•The state dance of South Carolina is the Shag!
•Most beautiful golf courses in the United States.
•Famous South Carolinians: Dizzy Gillespie (musician);
•Joe Frazier (prize fighter)
•
South Dakota
NASMRM POC – Arthur F. Scheafer
art.schaefer@sd.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Sturgis is home of the annual Black Hills Classic Motorcycle Rally.
• Mitchell is the home of the world's only Corn Palace.
• The Crazy Horse mountain carving now in progress will be the world’s
largest sculpture – if it is ever finished.
• “Where the Heck is Wall Drug?”
• “Dances With Wolves” filmed here.
•Famous South Dakotans: Tom Brokaw (Journalist);
George McGovern (Activist)
Tennessee
NASMRM POC – Russ H. Kent
kent.russ@state.tn.us
Interesting Facts:
• More National Guard soldiers deployed from the state for Gulf War I than
any other state.
• Graceland is the second most visited house in the nation.
•Cumberland University lost a football game to Georgia Tech in 1916 by a
score of 222 to 0. The Georgia Tech coach was George Heisman for whom
the Heisman Trophy is named.
• Tennessee is the home of the 2006 NASMRM Conference.
•Famous Tennessee: Dolly Parton (Singer); Cybil Shepherd (Actress);
Tina Turner (Singer)
Texas
NASMRM POC – Cathy Mann
mannc@tx.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•The King Ranch in Texas is bigger than the state of Rhode Island
•The first word spoken from the moon on July 20, 1969 was “Houston”.
• The state's cattle population is estimated to be near 16 million.
•Famous Texans: Dan Rather (Journalist); Joan Crawford (Actress)
Utah
NASMRM POC – Denis Yoggerst
dyoggers@utah.gov
Interesting Facts:
•Has the highest literacy rate in the country.
Certain NASMRM members were made aware by local police, that Utah
doesn’t promote beer consumption in public areas
•Because of the state's inland location Utah's snow is unusually dry. Earning
it the reputation of having the world's greatest powder. 14 Alpine ski resorts
operate in Utah.
•Famous Utahns: Merlin Olsen (football player); Steve Young (Football
Player)
Vermont
NASMRM POC – Barbara Jarrett
barbara.jarrett@vt.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream company gives their ice cream waste to the local
Vermont farmers who use it to feed their hogs. The hogs seem to like all of
the flavors except Mint Oreo.
•Famous Vermont: Brigham Young (Religious Leader);
Henry Wells (entrepeneur);
Virginia
NASMRM POC – Lynda Mann
lmann@aocsolutions.com
Interesting Facts:
•Virginia was named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I.
•The Pentagon has nearly 68,000 miles of internal telephone lines.
•Famous Virginians: Eight Presidents were from Virginia: Washington,
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler, Wilson and Taylor.
Washington
NASMRM POC – James Peterson
jim.peterson@mil.wa.gov
Interesting Facts:
• Home of the Supersonics, the Seahawks and the Mariners.
• Produces more apples than any other state.
• Home to the wealthiest man in the world – Bill Gates.
•The only state named after a President.
• Has the tallest mountain in the continental U.S.– Mt. Rainier 14,410 ft.
•Famous Washingtonians:
•Bob Barker (TV host); Bing Crosby (Singer, Actor); Kurt Cobain (Singer)
West Virginia
NASMRM POC – Samuel Peal
samual.peal@wv.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• First State to have a sales tax – effective July 1, 1921.
• Nearly 75% of West Virginia is covered by forests.
•Outdoor advertising had its origin in Wheeling about 1908 when the Block
Brothers Tobacco Company painted bridges and barns with the wording:
"Treat Yourself to the Best, Chew Mail Pouch.”
•Famous West Virginians: George Brett (Baseball player);
Peter Marshall (TV Host)
Wisconsin
NASMRM POC – Robert Treland
bob.treland@wi.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Barbie Dolls originated in Willows, Wisconsin.
•Milwaukee is home of Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
•Milwaukee – home of other beverages!
•Famous Wisconsin's: Chris Farley (Actor); Harry Houdini (Magician)
District of Columbia
NASMRM POC – Essie M. Thomas
essie.thomas@dc.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• Home of the Federal Capital.
• George Washington chose the sight for the future capital in 1791.
• Worlds most famous address – 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
•Famous District of Columbians: Home to President George Bush dogs
Spot and Barney
Guam
NASMRM POC – David M. Cruz, Jr.
david.cruz@gu.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
• America’s gateway to the Western Pacific and Asia.
•Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in
1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on
the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.
• Where America’s new Millennium began.
•Tony Curtis (actor) was wounded during the invasion of Guam in 1944.
Puerto Rico
NASMRM POC – Ebrahim Figueroa
figueroah@pr.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Represented in US Congress by a Resident Commissioner who had a voice
in the House, but no vote.
• Tourism is big – over 5 million visitors in 1999.
•Puerto Rico has an overall literacy rate of 90%.
•40% of the government budget is for education. (Impressive!)
•Famous Puerto Ricans: Roberto Clemente (baseball player); Jose Feliciano
(musician); Rita Moreno (actress)
Virgin Islands
NASMRM POC – Marcia Mills
marcia.mills@vi.ngb.army.mil
Interesting Facts:
•Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP
and employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year.
•One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix.
•No area in the world offers tropical sights as grand as those of the
Virgin Islands, with some hundred islands and cays sprinkled over an area
40 miles long and 10 miles in the northeast corner of the Caribbean Sea.
•Famous Virgin Islanders: Valmay Thomas (Baseball Player);
Ray Seales (Olympic Medalist, Professional Boxer)