Voices from Alaska's Past
"This is a great day. This is the greatest day in Alaska's history. The Congress has acted wisely and in the national interest. We of Alaska will justify what has been done this day - we shall make there a state mighty in every way."
E.L. "Bob" Bartlett - One of Alaska's first two senators
"It is anomalous that the application of basic American principles to Alaska has taken so many years. ... I feel that under the stimulus of statehood Alaska will become a great state of which our nation shall be proud."
Ralph J. Rivers - Alaska's first U.S. representative
"In this hour I cannot help but extend a grateful prayer of thanksgiving for the wonders of our American way of life and particularly in the wisdom of the Congress of the United States."
William A. Egan - Alaska's first state governor
"We will show the people of the United States they have not made a mistake."
Mike Stepovich - Last territorial governorJune 30, 1958
"It has been a long hard fight and victory is therefore all the sweeter. I am confident before long there will be few, either in Alaska or in the states, who will not be wholly enthusiastic about the establishment of the 49th state."
Ernest Gruening - One of Alaska's first two senators
Courtesy of University of Alaska Fairbanks UAF-1985-120-128
Display of the 49-star flag: Gov. William A. Egan and Sen. E.L. "Bob" Bartlett display the first 49-star flag to fly over the capitol in Washington, D.C., in this undated photo.