[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 29 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S1009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ALASKA LEGISLATURE CENTENNIAL

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I rise today to mark a 
significant event in Alaska's history as we commemorate the 100th 
anniversary of the convening of the Alaska State Legislature.
  Compared to the States that my colleagues represent, Alaska is a 
relatively young State, so it is remarkable that our legislature has 
existed for only 100 years. However, creating our State's legislative 
body was not an easy process. Secretary of State William H. Seward 
acquired Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000 on March 30, 1867. The First 
Organic Act of 1884 established the District of Alaska and provided us 
with a Governor and judicial branch but no legislative body to be the 
people's voice. It was not until after several petitions by Alaskans of 
all backgrounds that Congress passed the Second Organic Act giving 
Alaska territorial status and a legislative body. Our first elections 
were held November 12, 1912. They produced the first of many civil 
servants who would have the honor to serve in the Alaska Legislature. 
We did not yet have a capitol building, so eight senators and 16 
representatives convened at the Elk's Lodge in Juneau, AK. That year, 
the first territorial legislature passed 83 laws--laws that began 
building our State and uniting us as Alaskans.
  While Alaska may have been just a territory and seen by many as a 
vast wilderness separated from the rest of the country, our territorial 
legislature led the Nation in passing the first law in the Nation 
giving women the right to vote. This was 1913. The 19th amendment 
wouldn't be ratified for another 7 long years. The great Nell Scott was 
the first woman to serve in the first territorial legislature, way 
before other daughters of this country would. The territorial 
legislature also led the nation in the civil rights movement as it 
passed an antidiscrimination bill providing for full and equal 
enjoyment of public accommodations for all Alaskans. It is noteworthy 
that before statehood, Alaska's Legislature acted in response to the 
passionate advocacy of Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich long before 
Congress would on Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks' advocacy. 
Before a territorial referendum in 1946 that began the legal quest for 
statehood, the Alaska Legislature had been advocating admission as 
early as 1913.
  This past January, the 28th Session of the Alaska State Legislature 
convened, consisting of 20 senators and 40 representatives. Under house 
speaker Mike Chenault, and senate president Charlie Huggins, they 
continue to provide representation to an estimated 731,449 residents of 
Alaska. The Alaska Legislature has worked for the past 100 years to 
give Alaskans the opportunity to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit 
of happiness, and they will continue to do so for the many years to 
come. I extend my congratulations and heartfelt appreciation to the 
senators and representatives as well as all support staff to our 
legislature on this special anniversary.

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