I read with interest Larry Smith’s Thanksgiving Day letter regarding some of Alaska’s most notable statesmen and their roles in Alaska’s drive for statehood. In particular, the letter made the case that the bulk of the accolades should go to Ernest Gruening.
I’ve always greatly admired Gruening for not only his statehood efforts but also for his aggressive advocacy for Alaska during his time as a territorial governor and U.S. senator.
In his book, “To Russia With Love,” the late Vic Fischer even described Gruening as arguably Alaska’s greatest governor. Among his most notable accomplishments was working with Native leaders and the territorial Legislature to outlaw racial segregation in Alaska in 1945, almost 20 years before the passage of the U.S. Civil Rights Act. Gruening is one of our statehood champions and Vic Fischer gave him the credit he is due.
It’s clear from Fischer’s book, though, that E.L. “Bob” Barlett’s role was even more critical. During the statehood fight in the 1950s, Bartlett was Alaska’s non-voting member of Congress where he built an extensive network of both personal and professional relationships with members of Congress and others. Liked and admired for his knowledge, humility, political acumen, and caring, he stands as tall as any in the fight for statehood.
How we long for statesmen and stateswomen of Gruening and Bartlett’s stature today.
— Jim Renkert
Anchorage
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