[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5865-S5866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    REMEMBERING MARY LOUISE RASMUSON

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the passing of 
one of Alaska's most endeared philanthropists, Mary Louise Rasmuson. 
Mrs. Rasmuson died on July 30, 2012, at her home in Anchorage, AK. Mary 
Louise Rasmuson was a beloved Alaska pioneer who saw opportunity in 
every challenge. She was generous in spirit and deed, and through her 
family foundation made Alaska a much stronger and vibrant state.
  Intelligent. Diplomatic. Principled and ethical. Gentle but firm. 
Mrs. Rasmuson spent her life breaking barriers, challenging 
conventions, and seeking to improve opportunities for those around her.
  She was a trailblazer for women and left her mark across the country 
and the State of Alaska through her leadership, philanthropy, and the 
family foundation that she helped lead with her late husband Elmer.
  Selected from the initial pool of 30,000 applicants for the new 
Women's Army Corp-WAC she rose quickly

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through the ranks and in 1957 became the fifth commandant of the WAC, a 
position she occupied for 6 years, first appointed by President 
Eisenhower and reappointed by President Kennedy. Mary Louise led the 
way for women in the military. Mrs. Rasmuson's oral history of the WAC 
unit, World War II and the Korean War is among those recorded by The 
Library of Congress for The Veterans History Project.
  In 1942, as the United States entered World War II, Mrs. Rasmuson 
left her job as an assistant principal in a school district near 
Pittsburgh and became a member of the first class of the new WAC.
  As director of the WAC unit, military historians credit her with 
major achievements including increasing the WAC's strength, insisting 
on effectiveness in command, working with Congress to amend laws that 
deprived women of service credit and benefits, and expanding the range 
of military opportunities open to women.
  Mrs. Rasmuson retired in 1962 after 20 years of military service, 
during which she received a Legion of Merit award with two oak leaf 
clusters for her work integrating Black women into the WAC. She was 
also awarded the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Service Medal, the 
American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Occupation Medal 
and National Defense Medal. At an event honoring her, former U.S. 
Secretary of Defense William Perry said, ``When you hear about women 
seizing new opportunities to serve, remember that they march behind 
Colonel Rasmuson.''
  Mary Louise's impact can be felt virtually everywhere in Alaska, 
whether improving the position of families, founding a world-class 
museum, enhancing research in healthcare, and advancing understanding 
of Alaska Native cultures on a national stage. Her contributions have 
reached every corner of Alaska, from Ketchikan to Gambell.
  Mrs. Rasmuson arrived in Alaska in 1962 after her marriage to Elmer 
E. Rasmuson, chairman of National Bank of Alaska. Together, they made a 
formidable team influential in the public and civic agenda in a rapidly 
developing city and State. She quickly adapted to life in Alaska and 
became active in several community groups. One of her most visible 
impacts on Alaska came from her service as head of the Municipality of 
Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Commission and later as chair of the 
Anchorage Museum Foundation. Her vision, passion and personal effort 
led to the creation of the Anchorage Museum of Art and History in 1968. 
As Mayor of Anchorage, I was proud to be with Mrs. Rasmuson to cut the 
ribbon on the latest expansion of the museum, now named the Anchorage 
Museum at Rasmuson Center, a culminating moment in her decades-long 
vision to build a great museum for all Alaskans.
  In 1967, Mrs. Rasmuson began what would become 45 years of service on 
the board of Rasmuson Foundation. She maintained an active voice in the 
affairs of the Foundation and regularly attended board meetings until 
her late 90s, when she transitioned to an emeritus position. Even in 
the last years of her life, Mrs. Rasmuson received briefings from 
Foundation staff on projects seeking Foundation support.
  Facilities that bear her name include the Elmer and Mary Louise 
Rasmuson Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American 
Indian in Washington, DC, the Elmer and Mary Louise Rasmuson Center for 
Rheumatic Disease at the Benaroya Research Institute of Virginia Mason 
Hospital in Seattle, WA, and the Mary Louise Rasmuson Pavilion at the 
Boy Scouts of America Camp Gorsuch in Chugiak, AK. Mary Louise Rasmuson 
will be missed by all who knew her, but her legacy will live forever in 
the hearts and minds of Alaskans.

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