[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE RAWLINGS MUSEUM AND THE MAN WHOSE LEGACY MADE IT 
                                POSSIBLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
Rawlings Museum in Las Animas, Colorado, and to pay tribute to the man 
whose legacy made this dream possible.
  The Pioneer Historical Museum, which celebrates the history of Bent 
County, will be housed in the newly restored 106-year-old Odello Lodge 
building. The project is being spearheaded by the local Pioneer 
Historical Society and the Bent County Development Foundation, and is 
funded by a generous gift from Robert Hoag Rawlings, publisher of the 
Pueblo Chieftain. The gift was given in honor of Mr. Rawlings' late 
father and civic leader, John W. Rawlings.
  Mr. John W. Rawlings served in the Army during World War I and was 
promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant shortly thereafter. While in 
the service, he met Dorothy Hoag who he married in April 1920. After 
Mr. Rawlings and his wife were discharged in 1919, they took residence 
in Monte Vista, Colorado and had three children: John William Jr., 
Robert Hoag, and Dorothy Louise.
  In 1941, Mr. Rawlings became president of First National Bank in Las 
Animas and later became chairman of the board. He was active in the 
community and sought to promote progress in southeastern Colorado. Mr. 
Rawlings served as president of the Las Animas Chamber of Commerce. 
Moreover, Mr. Rawlings was an influential member of the Agriculture 
Committee of the Colorado Bankers Association and served as the 
president of the local Lions Club.
  As the Rawlings Museum progresses and exhibits begin to open, I urge 
my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Mr. John W. 
Rawlings and honoring his lifetime of contributions to the Las Animas 
community.

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