HOUSE MEMORIAL 30

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Meredith A. Dixon and Debra M. Sariñana and Susan K. Herrera and Christine Chandler

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 7, 2023 "JIM WALTHER DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

 

     WHEREAS, as the executive director of the national museum of nuclear science and history in Albuquerque, Jim Walther has educated and inspired the global community in furthering public education and understanding of the peaceful applications of nuclear technology for more than a quarter of a century; and

     WHEREAS, Jim Walther has served as the director of the national museum of nuclear science and history since relocating to Albuquerque in 1996; and

     WHEREAS, Jim Walther received his bachelor of arts degree in visual arts from the West Virginia university school of arts and has worked in the museum business for thirty-nine years; and

     WHEREAS, Jim Walther previously served as the vice president of programs and exhibits at the museum of discovery and science in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as the director of exhibits at Cumberland science museum and Grassmere wildlife park in Nashville, Tennessee; and

     WHEREAS, the national museum of nuclear science and history, the largest museum of its type in the world, is the nation's only congressionally chartered museum in the field of nuclear history and science, a Smithsonian-affiliate museum and a member of the association of science and technology centers; and

     WHEREAS, the national museum of nuclear science and history was founded in 1969, and under Jim Walther's leadership has expanded significantly, including moving into a larger facility, initiating nuclear science week in 2009 and overseeing new web-based content and partnerships to expand the museum's reach worldwide; and

     WHEREAS, the national museum of nuclear science and history leads New Mexico efforts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programming; and

     WHEREAS, the national museum of nuclear science and history reaches into the community to provide a depth of knowledge to the public through informative exhibits, programs and web-based resources; and

     WHEREAS, the national museum of nuclear science and history provides a robust website, hosts approximately seventy-five thousand visitors annually and maintains a strong, enduring partnership with Sandia national laboratories as well as many other laboratories, corporations, universities and organizations; and

     WHEREAS, Jim Walther's impact as an educator is unparalleled in terms of both quality and reach, welcoming school-aged children into programs and learning initiatives to become better informed on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and nuclear science; and

     WHEREAS, under Jim Walther's direction, the museum's education department welcomes students with program initiatives and project atom, a free after-school program for high school students who want to expand their knowledge of nuclear science; and

     WHEREAS, through museum programming, Jim Walther has encouraged students to look to their futures in nuclear and science, technology, engineering and mathematics programming; and

     WHEREAS, the annual nuclear science week, Jim Walther's vision, celebrates the field of nuclear science and is a weeklong celebration held during the third week in October that invites educators, students and employers from different communities to "get to know nuclear"; and

     WHEREAS, the impact of Jim Walther's initiative was recognized in 2017 by United States secretary of energy Rick Perry, and nuclear science week attracted additional attention from white house leadership through endorsement videos from Dr. Rita Baranwal, former United States assistant secretary for the office of nuclear energy, in 2020 and by United States secretary of energy Jennifer Granholm in 2021; and

     WHEREAS, Jim Walther also has a strong working relationship with Jim Sanborn, the sculptor behind the renowned exhibits "Atomic Time" and "Critical Assembly"; and

     WHEREAS, Jim Walther's tireless work has resulted in a nuclear education infrastructure that will continue furthering public understanding of the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for decades to come;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recognition be extended to Jim Walther for his contributions to the transformation of nuclear education and declaring February 7, 2023 "Jim Walther Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to Jim Walther and the national museum of nuclear science and history.

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