New Mexico HM 30: "JIM WALTHER DAY"

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HM 30
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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

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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

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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

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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.