NATION : Convention Roll Caller, 72, Resigns

WASHINGTON — Dorothy Bush, who has called the roll of the states at every Democratic National Convention since 1944, resigned today as the party’s secretary.

Bush, 72, is familiar to convention watchers as the person who, since the 1944 convention that nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt, called on the state delegations to announce their votes.

When she assumed the secretary’s job at age 27, she was the youngest person to hold the post and the first female. She is no relation to President Bush.

“What a great experience I have had--serving with 17 chairmen and heaven knows how many wonderful members and friends--and through the administrations of 10 presidents,” Bush noted in a resignation letter to DNC Chairman Ron Brown.