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Roy Disney is the nephew of Walt Disney, founder of the vast Disney empire. He has been top executive for the company for many years, and he now serves as Director Emeritus in the Board of Directors.

As Merrill, Oregon celebrates the remarkable and prolific career of its famous native son, Carl Barks, I am delighted and honored to add my own personal observations about this Disney legend. Over the years, The Walt Disney Studios has been home to some truly incredible talents from the world of art and entertainment.
By any standard, Carl Barks, the 'Comic Book King', has earned his place at the top of that list. His contributions to the art form are legendary and he has influenced and entertained many generations with his inventive stories and unique artistic style. He has delighted and amazed legions of fans the world over by transporting them to the most exotic locales from mysterious jungles to outer space, and he has challenged our imaginations as few have done before or since. Carl Barks has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Like many other outstanding artists of the day, Carl came to Disney in the 1930s to experiment with and explore the art of animation. He found inspiration in this exciting atmosphere, and his talents were nurtured by Walt Disney, his fellow artists and the creative process itself. With his innate sense of story and character, wonderful sense of humor and artistic vision, he quickly established himself as a top storyman for 'The Duck' and helped him become one of the most popular characters of all time.

In 1942, Carl took to writing the first Donald comic book like a duck to water. Even greater glory was to follow 5 years later with the introduction of Uncle Scrooge McDuck, the wealthiest, stingiest and most daring duck ever invented. For the next 20 years, he wrote and drew the popular Uncle Scrooge comics exclusively, spinning tale after mesmerizing tale featuring the eccentric, globetrotting 'jillionaire', Donald's three nephews, Gyro Gearloose, the Beagle Boys and other famous Duckburg inhabitants.

Acclaimed filmmaker George Lucas, one of Carl's greatest admirers, once described his strips as being 'very cinematic. They don't just move from panel to panel, but flow in sequences, sometimes several pages long'.
Well, I too am a lifelong admirer of this great artist and wonderful human being. Keep up the good work, Carl, and thanks for helping to make the world a better place with your warmth, wit and imagination.

Barks was pronounced a Disney Legend in 1991 (and the only comic book artist who had been bestowed with the honour at the time) and he is seen here during the ceremony flanked by Roy Disney and former director Michael Eisner.

This contribution is an excerpt from the weekly Oregonian newspaper Lost River Star's special edition named A Tribute to Carl Barks, July 1995.