H. Res. 1372 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 17, 2008. 

Whereas the citizens of Bellevue and Omaha, Nebraska, 

worked together with vigor and determination during the 

early years of the 20th century to create a nonsectarian 

university where local high school graduates could receive 

a college education; 

Whereas due to the fortitude of the Board of Trustees and 

the generosity of donors, the first student body consisting 

of 26 students gathered on September 14, 1909, in what 

was formerly the old Redick mansion at 24th and Pratt 

Streets to begin their college education at the University 

of Omaha; 

Whereas in spite of numerous financial challenges, the University of Omaha never wavered from its commitment to 

its founders to produce well-rounded and informed students by offering coursework in foreign languages, history, ethics, sacred history, science, and other traditional 

subjects; 

Whereas the University of Omaha’s substantial and respected 

curriculum prompted the University of Nebraska to announce in the spring of 1910 that it would accept credits 

from the University of Omaha as equivalent to its own; 
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•HRES 1372 EH 

Whereas the Board of Trustees, realizing the need for expanded facilities and programs would not be met through 

voluntary donations, voted in 1929 to turn over the University of Omaha to the City of Omaha to establish a 

municipal university; 

Whereas the World War II years were turbulent for the Nation and required many sacrifices, and students and faculty at the Municipal University of Omaha unselfishly 

united to support the war effort and their fellow students 

on active duty with a variety of activities, including replacing the traditional Homecoming bonfire with a scrap 

drive rally; 

Whereas the Municipal University of Omaha, under the leadership of President Milo Bail, responded to the need for 

expansion due to a postwar boom in student enrollment 

that threatened to stress facilities and programs by erecting a number of buildings to accommodate the quickly increasing student population, including a field house, library, and student center; 

Whereas the Municipal University of Omaha further responded to the needs of returning members of the military by participating in the Bootstrap Program, initiated 

by the Air Force in 1951, to encourage military personnel to finish degrees that had been started before the 

War; 

Whereas the University Regents, with the goal of strengthening financial solvency as well as offering affordable tuition, agreed to merge with the University of Nebraska 

beginning July 1, 1968, a decision that has since been 

lauded as the greatest educational gain in the City’s history; 
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•HRES 1372 EH 

Whereas the University continued to increase program offerings to students, including the development of doctoral 

programs such as a cooperative program in psychology 

and joint program in educational administration with the 

University of Nebraska at Lincoln, independent programs 

in public administration and criminal justice, and 

through the generous support of individual donors, the 

Alumni Association, and the NU Foundation, the creation of numerous named professorships; 

Whereas when a need arose for off-campus classrooms and a 

conference site to accommodate the business community, 

the University of Nebraska at Omaha worked diligently 

in both the public and private sectors to secure funding 

for the establishment of the Peter Kiewit Conference 

Center in downtown Omaha in 1980; 

Whereas the University of Nebraska at Omaha, in partnership with private donors, demonstrated a continued commitment to providing outstanding facilities with the opening of the Durham Science Center in 1987, the Weber 

Fine Arts Building in 1992, and expansion of the 

Thompson Alumni Center in 2006; 

Whereas the University of Nebraska at Omaha provides valuable resources and expertise to the State of Nebraska 

through the Nebraska Business Development Center, 

which produces an annual economic impact of 

$350,000,000 and serves 200 communities; 

Whereas the University of Nebraska at Omaha established a 

Teacher’s College in 1908 that produces educators who 

teach in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 73 

other countries; 
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•HRES 1372 EH 

Whereas the University of Nebraska at Omaha worked with 

business leaders to establish the Peter Kiewit Institute of 

Information Science, Technology and Engineering to help 

meet the employment needs of the Nation’s technology 

and engineering firms, as well as offer students a premiere educational opportunity; 

Whereas the Peter Kiewit Institute of Information Science, 

Technology, and Engineering has received accolades from 

many organizations, including the National Science 

Foundation and Carnegie Mellon; and 

Whereas 2008 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of 

the University of Nebraska at Omaha, with commemorations beginning October 8, 2008: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) requests that the President issue a proclamation 

recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the 

University of Nebraska at Omaha and calls upon citizens 

to observe such an anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and 

(2) encourages State and local governments to recognize the partnership among the City of Omaha, its 

citizens, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha to 

build a vibrant and dynamic community. 

Attest: 

Clerk.