[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 10 (Thursday, January 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S841-S842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE LATE ROBERT B. ATWOOD, ALASKA PIONEER

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, Alaska lost one of its greatest 20th 
century pioneers this month, when Robert B. Atwood died on January 10.
  Many today remember him as the man who edited and published Alaska's 
largest newspaper, the Anchorage Times, for more than 50 years.
  But some of my best memories are of the hours and days and weeks we 
spent

[[Page S842]]

together in the 1950's, when he was chairman of the Alaska Statehood 
Committee and I was assistant to the Secretary of the Interior Fred 
Seaton as Alaskans sought Statehood.
  Bob Atwood was a leader in that fight. He crystallized the support of 
our Nation's press to put the 49th star on our flag. It was his 
understanding and knowledge of the news media, and his friendships 
among editors and publishers across our Nation that brought the press 
on board, to champion the cause for bringing Alaska into the union. Not 
too many years later, he was responsible for newspapers across our 
Nation understanding the importance of building our great Alaska 
pipeline.
  Bob Atwood was more than a great publisher, more than the successful 
chairman of the Statehood Committee. He was a cultural renaissance man, 
who did much behind the scenes to promote the arts and education in 
Alaska.
  Bob loved new technology, and brought his newspaper into the computer 
age long before most of the Nation's largest dailies were on line. He 
was the first one on the staff of the Anchorage Times to learn how to 
use the new computers, while his staff struggled with the transition 
from typewriters to the electronic age.
  His knowledge of history, and of the many serious- and humorous-
stories about Alaska and Alaskans who shaped my State's history, was 
extraordinary. Bob was generous in sharing those stories with 
organizations and groups who asked him to speak or to attend their 
meetings.
  Above all, Bob Atwood understood the importance of a strong military 
presence in Alaska, the crossroads of the world, and he helped to make 
the Nation aware of our strategic global position.
  He was a tireless supporter of our service men and women, and 
remained friends with many of them long after their tours of duty in 
Alaska were over. For 40 years Bob served on the military's civilian 
advisory boards in Alaska, and was president since 1976 of the Alaskan 
Command Civilian Advisory Board. He assured that in Alaska there was--
and still is--a partnership between our military stationed in our State 
and Alaskans.
  Immediately after the 1964 earthquake, he told me he wanted to buy 
land and build a house close to the area most damaged by the 
earthquake, to show his confidence in the future of Alaska. He built 
that house and opened it up time and again to men and women from our 
State and hundreds of others he had met during his travels in our 
country and all over the world.
  My friend Bob was quietly generous to a number of causes which were 
never publicized. In addition, he was proud of those which bear his 
name, to which he donated millions of dollars, including the Atwood 
chair in journalism at the University of Alaska, the Atwood Center at 
Alaska Pacific University, and the Evangeline Atwood Theater at 
Anchorage's performing arts center. His generosity touched the lives of 
thousands of Alaskans, though they may never have known it.
  Bob Atwood had the manners of an old-fashioned gentleman, the 
curiosity and sense of fun of a youngster, and writing and editing 
talents that could only be achieved through graceful maturity and a 
great understanding and love of words.
  In helping to make life better for all Alaskans, Bob Atwood made 
history. He was indeed a great man, who helped to make our great land 
even greater. He was also a dear, good and loyal friend. I will miss 
him. Our sympathy goes out to his daughter Elaine and his grandsons and 
granddaughter, to whom he was devoted.
  As a visitor comes into my office, there is a photo of Bob Atwood and 
me with our snowmachines in the broad fields near Alyeska, the ski 
resort in my home town, Girdwood, AK. I cherish those days when I spent 
time there with Bob, with Evangeline and Elaine Atwood.
  Bob was a true Alaskan--a real pioneer.
  Thank you very much, Mr. President.

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