"This is an urgent mission," said Hanks. "We are losing World War II veterans every day. Their stories form a foundation that is valuable for learning and sharing. I've supported this Museum since before its doors opened, and I am looking forward to working with others to build America's National World War II Museum."
Hanks is the Honorary Chairman of the Museum's capital campaign for the expansion that will triple the size of the Museum located in New Orleans. The expansion will cover all of the theaters and services that played a role in World War II and include a national center for research on the War.
Hanks and news correspondent Cokie Roberts served as hosts for the gala, The "Salute to the Citizen Soldier." The Congressional honorees included:
Senator Daniel K. Akaka of Hawaii
Representative Cass Ballenger of North Carolina
Representative John D. Dingell of Michigan
Representative Ralph M. Hall of Texas
Senator Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings of South Carolina
Representative Amory Houghton of New York
Representative Henry A. Hyde of Illinois
Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii
Senator Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey
Representative Ralph Regula of Ohio
Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska
Senator John Warner of Virginia
Representative Tom Lantos of California was also honored as the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to Congress.
Each honoree received an American Spirit Medallion from The National D-Day Museum in recognition for his service in Congress and in World War II. The medallions were presented by Hanks, Donald T. "Boysie" Bollinger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President and CEO of the Museum, Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller.
"These men have exhibited the values of the American Spirit, the values of teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice, throughout their lives' work," said Bollinger. "The National D-Day Museum promotes the exploration and expression of these values by future generations and honors the men and women who fought for democracy and freedom during World War II. We are proud to honor these thirteen men for their courage and duty."
Hanks and Museum executives displayed drawings and a model of the expansion and outlined the campaign, entitled "Celebrating the American Spirit: Building America's National World War II Museum." Architects and designers for the Museum unveiled expansion designs from the recent national competition that resulted in their selection. Patrick Gallagher, President of Gallagher & Associates, exhibit designers for the Museum, and Bart Voorsanger, President of Voorsanger Architects, PC, presented overviews of their designs for the Museum's expansion.
Senator Daniel Inouye, honoree and the other co-chairman recounted his experience in World War II and recognized Medal of Honor recipients and all World War II veterans in the audience. With an introduction by Cokie Roberts, Todd Anton, an American History teacher in Phelan, Calif., described his work on an oral history program with his students that generated more than 4,000 oral histories from veterans of World War II. Following dinner, Museum president and CEO, Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller presented the vision for the Museum's expansion and the steps taken thus far for the $150 million capital campaign. Mueller then introduced event sponsors who each gave a few remarks, including J. Wayne Leonard, Chief Executive Officer of Entergy Corporation, Dr. Ron Sugar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Ken Dahlberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Science Application International Corporation.
The United States Naval Academy Men's Glee Club closed the evening with a performance of God Bless America.
Congress officially designated The National D-Day Museum in New Orleans as "America's National World War II Museum" on September 25, 2003. The resolution expressed the United States Government's support for the New Orleans Museum in continuing preservation and interpretation of artifacts, documents and history as well as the education of American people about experience in combat and on the home front during the World War II years.
For more information about The National D-Day Museum, call 504-527-6012 or visit the web site at www.ddaymuseum.org.
