SLS 17RS-3111 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 211
BY SENATOR ALARIO
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller upon his retirement as the
president and chief executive officer of The National World War II Musuem.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend and congratulate Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller upon his retirement as the
3 president and chief executive officer of The National World War II Museum for his
4 dedicated service and many highly significant contributions to the academic world
5 and the study of history.
6 WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend Dr. Gordon "Nick" Mueller upon his
7 retirement as the president and chief executive officer of The National World War II
8 Museum; and
9 WHEREAS, Gordon H. Mueller was born on July 22, 1939, in Philadelphia,
10 Pennsylvania, married the former Mary Elizabeth McLemore, and together they have raised
11 two wonderful sons, David and John; and
12 WHEREAS, Dr. Mueller began his undergraduate studies in 1957 at Stetson
13 University where he earned his bachelor's degree, went on to earn his MA and PhD at the
14 University of North Carolina, and continued his postgraduate work at Yale, Harvard, and
15 several European universities; and
16 WHEREAS, the pursuit of excellence in his chosen field of history led Dr. Mueller
17 to a thirty-three year career as professor of European history at the University of New
18 Orleans, during which time he served as dean, vice chancellor, and founding president of the
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1 Research and Technology Park; and
2 WHEREAS, Dr. Mueller is known as the founder of University of New Orleans'
3 Metropolitan College, its regional campuses, Business-Higher Education Council, and the
4 university's International Study Programs, which has sent thousands of students to numerous
5 countries for study abroad since 1973; and
6 WHEREAS, while he is well-known for his academic career, and even becoming a
7 member of the University Continuing Education Hall of Fame, Dr. Mueller is also
8 well-known for his entrepreneurship in helping to establish and oversee the success of The
9 National World War II Museum; and
10 WHEREAS, Dr. Mueller assisted historian Stephen Ambrose in founding the
11 institution, initially known as The National D-Day Museum, honoring Andrew Higgins,
12 builder of the famous amphibious landing craft used to storm the beaches at Normandy,
13 which were built in New Orleans, and he led the organization as chairman of the board from
14 1998 through its fundraising and construction phases culminating in the grand opening on
15 June 6, 2000, the fifty-sixth anniversary of the Normandy invasion; and
16 WHEREAS, his appointment as the full-time president and chief executive officer
17 has allowed Dr. Mueller to shape the museum's development, image, and outreach, and he
18 has played a leading role in raising more than two hundred eighty-five million dollars for the
19 expansion of the museum on three blocks of downtown New Orleans and has seen the
20 museum expand and become what is now The National World War II Museum; and
21 WHEREAS, through Dr. Mueller's leadership, the museum has had over five million
22 visitors, over seven hundred fifty thousand student-visitors evidencing its close relationship
23 with education and cultural tourism in Louisiana, and the museum has had a multi-million
24 dollar impact on the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana; and
25 WHEREAS, due to the efforts of Dr. Mueller and the success of the museum, the
26 museum has been designated as "America's National World War II Museum" by the United
27 States Congress in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2004; and
28 WHEREAS, Dr. Mueller merits commendation, congratulations, and deep
29 appreciation for his contributions to the state and the people of Louisiana and this nation will
30 long benefit from his legacy of excellence and professionalism, particularly his work with
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SLS 17RS-3111 ORIGINAL
1 The National World War II Museum.
2 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
3 does hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller for his many years
4 of service to The National World War II Museum; does hereby recognize and acclaim the
5 many highly significant contributions he has made to the academic world and the study of
6 history; does hereby express sincere appreciation for his contributions to the state of
7 Louisiana; and does extend to him the warmest wishes of the members of the Senate for
8 success in all his future endeavors.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
10 Dr. Gordon H. Mueller.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 211 Original 2017 Regular Session Alario
Commends Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller upon his retirement as the president and chief
executive officer of The National World War II Museum.
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