Dayle was most valuable to the Governors, to the Legislature, and to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission working with state, regional, and federal agencies. As Executive Secretary of the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, Dayle was responsible for negotiations involving various proposed amendments to the Natural Resources District Law and considerations related to the implementation of 24 new Natural Resources Districts.
Presentation of Dayle Williamson
Dayle E. Williamson was born on a Fillmore County farm in 1931. He graduated from the Ohiowa High School in 1948 and enrolled in the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, from which he received his Bachelor's degree in 1953.
Dayle worked 20 hours a week in the Russell-Stover Candy Factory during the first three years of college along with spending most weekends and summers helping his father on the farm. He majored in General Agriculture because he planned to be a farmer.
Upon graduation Dayle was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery, and almost immediately was called to active duty, where he served with the 47th and 3rd Infantry Divisions. At the close of the customary two years of service, he was separated from active duty with rank of First Lieutenant, Artillery, and returned to Nebraska.
He served as Assistant County Agent in Gage County until 1957 and as Jefferson County Agent until 1958. In 1958, Dayle embarked upon what was to become his life's profession when he was hired as the Assistant Executive Secretary of what was then known as the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Commission and since 1975 has been known as the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission.
Upon being named Executive Secretary of the agency in 1970, Dayle became responsible for the negotiations involved with the various proposed amendments to the Natural Resources District Law and the numerous considerations related to the final implementation of the merger of 154 existing special purpose districts into 24 new Natural Resources Districts effective July 1, 1972. The implementation of Natural Resources Districts has likely been the most significant institutional development in natural resources development and management in the State of Nebraska.
When the nature of the Agency was altered as a result of a change in state law in 1985 to make the Director an appointee of the Governor, Dayle was appointed Director of Natural Resources by Governor Kerrey. He has subsequently been reappointed by Governors Orr and Nelson.
Like Dave McGill, Dayle is a talented individual. He has strong leadership qualities, is very knowledgeable in the broad and complex field in which he operates, and finally has an unusual knack of being able to get along with people. He has operated in a field where controversy is far from unknown. Included are ever-present political overtones. In such circumstances one can easily stumble into the crossfire and suddenly find himself or herself out of a job. Yet Dayle seems to have thrived on filling an important role in solving complex, often controversial, problems. Milton Fricke who himself is a noted pioneer in soil and water conservation, on his own farm as well as being an important state-wide and national leader in this field, assures us that Dayle always has, and continues to have, very strong support in his endeavors among the very large and diverse clientele that he serves.
The measures of Dayle's accomplishments are many. In his administrative role, he has been most valuable to the Governors, to the Legislature, and to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. A few of his many contributions to agriculture are: He assisted in organization of numerous watershed conservancy districts to sponsor watershed projects; was responsible for the initial organization of natural resources districts; served as state coordinator for drought relief for Governor Exon; was chairman of the interagency group to develop the current State Water Planning and Review Process; was secretary of the Governor's Interagency Water Coordinating Committee for Governor Thone; served as a member of Governor Kerrey's Water Independence Congress; and is responsible for final approval and funding recommendations for all natural resources development fund projects.
He has worked closely with numerous state, regional, and federal agencies such as the Soil Conservation Service, the Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Reclamation. His memberships in professional societies and on boards, committees, councils, and task forces (both in state and national) numbers 24. Not the least among these is his membership on the Niobrara Scenic River Advisory Commission to which he was appointed by Secretary of the Interior Manual Lujan during the Bush administration.
Included among the honors Dayle has received are: Distinguished Service Award, Nebraska Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, 1965; Honorary Future Farmers of America Award, Nebraska FFA, 1967; Thirty Year Exceptional Leadership Award, Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, 1988; National Leadership Award, Interstate Conference on Water Policy, 1990; and the William C. Ackermann Medal for Excellence in Water Management, awarded by the American Water Resources Association at their annual meeting in Reno, Nevada, in 1992. Dayle told me that one thing that should not be overlooked is the fact that he is an Official Winner in the National Liars Hall of Fame, Dannebrog, Nebraska. This prestigious award was presented by Roger Welch and indicated that he had shown "high distinction in the venerable American folk art of competitive prevarication, with a grade of A+."
Senator Jim Exon has written "Dayle Williamson is one person I can always count on for sound advice, good counsel and help in moving forward progressive and innovative water programs in our state and throughout the country.... He is truly one of my most trusted advisors of long standing."
Dr. Leslie P. Sheffield has written "I know of no one who is more deserving of recognition for his outstanding leadership of land and water related programs in the State of Nebraska or efforts to conserve our valuable natural resources than Dayle Williamson."
Director Donald R. Vonnahme of the Illinois Department of Transportation had this to say about Dayle in connection with his leading role in preparing the Nebraska Water Plan: "The whole country was impressed with Nebraska's Water Plan, particularly in the implementation stage. Dayle's opinions and advice are taken seriously by the country's water resource professionals."
Paralleling Dayle's professional career has been almost a second career and a very successful and important one at that. This has consisted of his long association with the U.S. Army. Shortly after returning from his active duty in the Army in 1955, he joined the National Guard.
During his 30 years in the Guard, Dayle maintained a very active status. He devoted virtually all of his vacation time and most of his spare time to work with the Guard. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair. He worked his way up through the ranks culminating in his serving as the Deputy Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard from 1981 to 1983 and from 1983 to 1985 as the Commanding General of the 67th Infantry Brigade Mechanized. The Brigade consisted of 4400 troops under his command.
Of particular interest is the fact that during 1984 General Colin Powell, then stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, was General Dayle Williamson's counterpart. In these capacities, the two Generals were together many times. Incidentally, Dayle cannot say enough good things to express his admiration for General Powell. Dayle also became acquainted with General Schwartzkopf who was much interested to learn about the Schwartzkopfs in Lincoln, Nebraska, including one of our members, viz Edward.
Dayle Williamson retired from the U.S. Army in 1985 with the rank of Brigadier General. You may wonder if Dayle is the first General honored by the Hall. Not so. That honor goes to General Henry Atkinson who was the Honoree posthumously in 1923 - just 70 years ago. He had been the Commandant of Fort Atkinson in Washington County, Nebraska.
We have letters from Senator Bob Kerrey and Governor Ben Nelson to our two honorees. The Senator is being represented here tonight by Eugene Glock, State Agricultural Representative for Senator Kerrey - Please stand up, Gene and Melba Glock. Governor Nelson is represented by Lt. Governor Maxine Moul. Please stand up, Maxine.
From Senator Kerrey:
I regret that I will be unable to attend the dinner honoring David McGill and Dayle Williamson on April 16th. I do wish to add my congratulations to Dave and Dayle for the recognition you are affording them...
These two honorees exemplify the dedication required to move that research into the knowledge base and onto the land. Both of these men have remained focused on improving the productive capacity of our producers and enhancing our natural resources even during difficult periods when change encountered inertia.
I give my thanks to both Dave and Dayle for their dedication to serving our great agricultural industry and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
From Governor Nelson:
In your own ways, each of you have served Nebraska with the pride and enthusiasm that is the essence of our state. Your dedicated efforts on behalf of agriculture and the environment have touched thousands of lives and made the Good Life better...
Again, congratulations and please accept my apology for being unable to share this honor with you in person.
In closing, I want to say that agriculture in the entire United States, and especially in Nebraska, is better as a result of the work Dayle Williamson has done. We are indeed proud Dayle to have you as an Honoree in the Hall.
