thecitizenhonoursmerrill

Merrill's Main Street

Klamath County Museum

For generations, most of Merrill's citizens had enjoyed the numerous comic book stories of Donald Duck, Scrooge McDuck and Gyro Gearloose without realizing that the artist behind them all was actually born in their midst. In fact, not many of the residents of Merrill were aware of Barks' worldwide recognition as a Disney duck artist until he was honoured as Oregon Citizen of the Year in a unique ceremony at Oregon's Capitol building in March, 1995.
Now Merrill's mayor and the city council wasted no time in brainstorming how to honour their newfound hero. This resulted in the city passing a resolution which would be permanently recorded in Merrill's history. The resolution also proclaims March 31st as 'Carl Barks Day' to be celebrated every year!
In 2004 Barks was bestowed with another honour; the world's first - and to this day only - permanent exhibition in honour of Barks opened in Klamath County Museum (see more HERE). Merrill is a part of Klamath County.

THE RESOLUTION

The original resolution shown below has been transcribed (and partly corrected) to the right, as the original font can be hard to read:

Whereas Carl Barks is an Oregon native, born to the community of Merrill, Oregon on the 27th day of March, 1901; and
Whereas he spent much of his childhood in the Merrill community during his young school years; and
Whereas Carl Barks has combined pen and paper to bring the 'Mad Mallard' Donald Duck to Walt Disney's comics for over twenty five years and created many of the popular Disney characters including Donald's Uncle Scrooge McDuck as well as Duckburg; and
Whereas Carl Barks' works have brought untold joy to millions of children and adults throughout the entire world, bringing his special brand of humor to a troubled society; and
Whereas the Oregon State Legislature has honored him on the 31st day of March, 1995 and he has been the recipient of many awards by Roy Disney and Michael Eisner of Walt Disney Productions; and
Whereas the Community of Merrill, Oregon is proud to recognize Carl as one of its most outstanding native citizens.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Community of Merrill, Oregon, in honor of Carl Barks, has established this day of March 31, 1995 as 'Carl Barks Day' and henceforth for each year forward on this same day, cause this day to be celebrated as such with appropriate activities.