RES 2001-17 WALT WOODWARD DESTINGUISHED CITIZENSRESOLUTION NO 2001-17
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Bainbridge
Island, Washington honoring Walter C. "Walt" Woodward and his
wife Mildred "Millie" Woodward as Bainbridge Island's
Distinguished Citizens of the 20`s Century.
WHEREAS, Walter C. "Walt" Woodward and his wife Mildred "Millie" Woodward
lived on Bainbridge Island until their recent passing; and
WHEREAS, The name Walt Woodward is known to and remembered by virtually every
citizen of Bainbridge Island; and
WHEREAS, Hundreds of citizens gathered to honor the memory of Walt and Millie
Woodward on March 24, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward was a leading citizen, courageous newspaper editor, and
community voice for many years; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward was an outspoken critic of the internment of the island's
240 Japanese American citizens during World War II, writing, "These Japanese haven't bombed
anybody ... In the past they have given every indication of loyalty to this nation"; and
WHEREAS, Under Walt Woodward's leadership, the Bainbridge Review was the only
newspaper on the West Coast to repeatedly remind its readers that the Bill of Rights had been
violated for some of the readers' neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Walt and Millie Woodward arranged for camp residents from the Island to
become correspondents for the Review and in that way stay in touch with community members;
and
WHEREAS, Walt and Millie Woodward's contributions were the topic of the PBS -TV
video "Visible Target," and Mr. Woodward was one of only 100 citizens inducted into
Washington State's "Centennial Hall of Honor" for humanitarian and civil libertarian
contributions to the state's quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward was a recipient of the National Japanese American Citizen
League's Edison Uno Civil Rights "Dove of Peace Award," and was the inspiration for the
newspaper -editor character in David Guterson's award-winning novel, Snow Falling on Cedars;
and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward led campaigns for a "living memorial fund" to build new
schools, libraries, and the Agate Pass Bridge; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Woodward was active in Kiwanis, the Bainbridge Island Chamber of
Commerce, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Poulsbo Yacht Club, and once served as president of
the Washington Newspaper Publisher's Association; and
WHEREAS, Walt and Millie's many contributions to the community prompted the
Bainbridge Island School District to name its newest school Woodward Middle School; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward died on March 13, 2001, and Millie preceded him in death
in 1989.
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Bainbridge
Island honors the remarkable life and contributions of Walt and Millie Woodward to human
rights and public service on Bainbridge Island and in the state of Washington; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted
by the City Clerk to Walt and Millie Woodward's daughters, Mary, Mildred, and Carolyn, and to
the Bainbridge Review.
PASSED by the City Council this 28th day of March, 2001.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 29th day of March, 2001.
D ht utton, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
S san P. Kasper, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: March 21, 2001
APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: March 28, 2001
RESOLUTION NO.: 2001-17