HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2010-28at of
KENAI, AL SKA
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -28
Suggested by: Administration
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, RECOGNIZING
THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GOVERNOR WALTER "WALLY" J. HICKEL, HIS
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ALASKA, AND EXPRESSING SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS
FAMILY.
WHEREAS, Governor Walter J. Hickel died at the age of 90 on May 7, 2010; and,
WHEREAS, Walter "Wally" Hickel, nearly penniless, arrived in Anchorage in 1940 and
taking advantage of the State's rapid growth following World War II founded a
successful construction company and amassed significant real estate holdings; and,
WHEREAS, Walter Hickel was a staunch supporter of Statehood and was instrumental
in the State receiving 104 million acres of Alaska from the Federal Government as a
component of the Statehood Agreement; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Hickel was elected to his first term as Alaska's Governor in 1966
and during his term, he worked to improve relations with Alaska Natives by
supporting the resolution of Native Land Claims and he oversaw the discovery of oil at
Prudhoe Bay; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Hickel was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of the
Interior on January 23, 1969 and proved to be a strong environmentalist, supporting
laws that placed liabilities on oil companies operating offshore oil production facilities
as well as demanding strict environmental safeguards on Alaska's growing oil
industry; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Hickel was again elected as Alaska's Governor in 1990 and
during his term oversaw the clean-up and response to the Exxon "Valdez" oil spill;
and,
WHEREAS, Walter Hickel campaigned tirelessly for the rights of, and opportunities for,
all Alaskans, including the provision in the Alaska Constitution stating, "It is the
policy of the State to encourage settlement of its and and the development of its
resources by making them available for maximum use consistent with public
interest. and,
WHEREAS, Governor Hickel was an Alaskan leader and visionary, whose presence will
be forever missed; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Hickel is survived by his wife Ermalee (Strutz) Hickel, six sons,
21 grandchildren, and seven great- grandchildren.
Resolution No. 2010 -28
Page 2 of 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, the City of Kenai, Alaska recognizes the achievements of Governor Walter
"Wally" J. Hickel, his contributions to Alaska, and expresses its sincere condolences to
his family.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 19th day of May,
2010.
A 1
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
PAT PORTER, MAYOR