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