HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2012-50KENAI, ALASKA
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -50
Suggested by: Mayor Porter
Vice -Mayor Marquis
Council Member Bookey
Council Member Boyle
Council Member Gabriel
Council Member Navarre
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, HONORING
THE LIFE OF MARY LOUISE RASMUSON AND HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF KENAI, THE KENAI PENINSULA, AND THE STATE OF
ALASKA.
WHEREAS, Mary Louise Rasmuson died on Monday, July 30, 2012 at her home in
Anchorage, Alaska; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Rasmuson was born Mary Louise Milligan in East Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania on April 11, 1911; and,
WHEREAS, she received a bachelor's in science degree from Carnegie Mellon
University and a master's degree in school administration from the University of
Pittsburg; and,
WHEREAS, when the United States entered World War II she enlisted in the women's
corps and was selected as one of four hundred selected for an experiment in using
women as military professionals where she became a staff officer with the General
Staff of the Department of the Army, rising to the rank of Colonel and was appointed
Director of the Women's Army Corps by President Eisenhower; and,
WHEREAS, Colonel Mary Louise Milligan was married to Eimer Rasmuson on
November 4, 1961 and in 1962 moved to Anchorage, Alaska with her husband; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Rasmuson served tirelessly in many organizations, including the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Association of University Women, Zonta, Rotary Wives,
Pioneers of Alaska, Anchorage Women's Club, League of Women's Voters, Alaska
Republican's Women's Club, Alaska Native Sisterhood, the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People, and many other groups; and,
WHEREAS, in 1968, Mary Louise Rasmuson was instrumental in the creation of the
Anchorage Museum, which is now known as the Anchorage Museum at the Rasmuson
Center. The Rasmuson Center houses the State's largest permanent collection of
paintings and sculptures by Alaskan artists; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Rasmuson and her husband Elmer founded the Rasmuson
Foundation. Since its creation in the 1960's the Foundation has directed grants to
Alaskan non - profit corporations totaling in excess of $200 million. The City of Kenai
Resolution No. 2012 -50
Page 2
has been, and continues to be a direct recipient of the generosity of the Rasmuson
Foundation, having received funding for the Kenai Community Library Expansion,
Senior Center improvements, and Park & Recreation projects; and,
WHEREAS, she was involved in other charitable causes ranging from health care, to
scouting, to Native culture. There is an Elmer and Louise Rasmuson Center for
Rheumatic Disease at the Benaroya Research Institute of Virginia Mason Hospital in
Seattle, and the Elmer and Mary Louise Rasmuson Theater at the Smithsonian
National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.; and,
WHEREAS, Alaska is a richer place for the life lived by Mary Louise Rasmuson and her
endless generosity has touched the lives of all Alaskans; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, that this resolution honors the life of Mary Louise Rasmuson and gratefully
recognizes her contributions to the citizens of the City of Kenai, the Kenai Peninsula,
and the State of Alaska.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 1st day of August,
2012.
ATTEST:
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PAT PORTER, MAYOR