ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 116
BY REPRESENTATIVES MARCELLE, STEVE CARTER, AND FOIL
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of former
director of the Louisiana Naval War Memorial and the U.S.S. Kidd Veterans
Memorial and Museum, Maury Drummond.
WHEREAS, the members of the House were saddened to learn of the death on
Sunday, May 1, 2016, of Maury Drummond; and
WHEREAS, for twenty-two years at the helm of the Louisiana Naval War Memorial
and the U.S.S. Kidd Veterans Memorial and Museum, Mr. Drummond implemented
programs and exhibits that lured tourists to Baton Rouge, making the Kidd the gold standard
for ship exhibits; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Drummond's love of history and interest in model ship building led
him from the insurance industry to his first post as second executive director of the
museums, and once there, Mr. Drummond convinced veterans to donate their memorabilia
and model makers to share their scaled-down ships, bringing vitality and viability to the
exhibits; and
WHEREAS, naval groups in Washington were prompted by Mr. Drummond to help
plan the walk-through reconstruction of the U.S.S. Constitution, and he put his promotional
skills to good use, finding sponsors to help pay for new museum offerings; and
WHEREAS, such innovative ideas as allowing children to spend the night aboard the
Kidd, families celebrating Independence Day aboard the ship, and prevailing upon veterans
of naval destroyers to visit the exhibits and to reminisce were developed and implemented
by Mr. Drummond and greatly increased the visitor traffic to the U.S.S. Kidd and the
Louisiana Naval War Memorial; and
Page 1 of 2 HR NO. 116 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, a consummate fundraiser, Mr. Drummond convinced the captains and
curators of other ships to visit Baton Rouge: the nineteenth century sailing ship Elissa graced
the Mississippi waters near the U.S.S. Kidd, and a reproduction of Christopher Columbus's
Pinta and more modern vessels sailed into Baton Rouge; these exhibits increased ticket sales
and allowed the memorial, which received no state funding, to stay in operation; and
WHEREAS, the staff of the museums recall Mr. Drummond as the heart of the
memorial; his departure at the age of seventy-four leaves a profound sense of sadness but
his years as director will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby extend deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and
former colleagues of Maury Drummond and does hereby express hopes that his legacy will
live on.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Maury Drummond.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 2 of 2