John W. Rawlings

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John W. Rawlings

CELEBRATING THE RAWLINGS MUSEUM AND

THE MAN WHOSE LEGACY MADE IT POSSIBLE

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.