[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING DR. LON NUELL'S PASSION FOR THE ARTS AND EDUCATION

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my 
friend, Dr. Lon Nuell, who passed away March 12.
  Leon Richard Nuell served on the Murfreesboro City School Board for 
12 years and taught as an art professor at my alma mater, Middle 
Tennessee State University, for 37 years. He was up for re-election to 
the school board this year and received nearly 400 votes posthumously 
as a testament to his legacy.
  Lon did many things to improve the quality of education for children 
in Murfreesboro, including banning the practice of corporal punishment, 
championing full-time art teachers in each city school and establishing 
the Murfreesboro City Schools Foundation, an organization that 
fundraises for local schools.
  Lon was a founding member of Congregation Micah in Nashville and the 
Tennessee Holocaust Museum. He facilitated the acquisition of two 
exhibits to educate the public through art--exhibits the Tennessee 
Holocaust Museum is now releasing to tour the United States. Lon was 
the faculty advisor of MTSU's Hillel and helped establish Friends-in-
Faith, an interfaith group with members representing almost every 
religion in Middle Tennessee.
  Prior to his unexpected passing, several community programs--Read to 
Succeed, Success by 6 and Project Pass--were establishing a literacy 
center in a space provided by First Baptist Church on East Main Street 
in Murfreesboro. It is fitting tribute that they have named the center 
the Lon Nuell Family Literacy Center. Lon believed in education for 
everyone and in the strength of collaboration.
  Lon will be sorely missed by the community, his friends and family; 
wife, Christie and three sons, but his legacy will live on.

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